«>.'»* 


IMAGE  EVALUATrON 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/. 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


2.5 
2.2 


iMias 

lui 

111^ 
1.4  mil  1.6 


6' 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


'^^ 


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The  copy  filmed  here  hee  been  reproduced  thenke 
to  the  generoeity  of: 

D.  B.  Weldon  Library 
Univeriity  of  Weitern  Ontario 
(Regional  History  Room) 

The  Imegee  eppeering  here  ere  the  beet  quelity 
poaeible  coneldering  the  condition  end  legibility 
of  the  originei  copy  end  In  keeping  with  the 
filming  contrect  specificetione. 


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The  lest  recorded  frsme  on  eech  microfiche 
shell  contsin  the  symbol  — •^■(mosning  "COIM- 
TINUED").  ur  the  symbol  V  (meening  "END"), 
whichever  sppiies. 

Msps,  pistes,  cherts,  '^tc,  msy  be  filmed  st 
different  reduction  rstios.  Those  too  Isrge  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  ere  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hsnd  corner,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  ss  msny  frsmee  ss 
required.  The  following  diegrems  lliustrste  the 
method: 


L'exempieire  filmi  fut  reproduit  grflce  A  Is 
gin^rosit*  de: 

D.  B.  Weldon  Library 
University  of  Western  Ontario 
(Regional  History  Room) 

Lee  imegee  suiventee  ont  4tA  reproduites  svec  ie 
plue  grend  soin,  compte  tenu  de  Ie  condition  et 
de  Ie  nettet*  de  l'exempieire  filmA.  et  en 
conformity  evec  ies  conditions  du  contrst  de 
fiimsge. 

Lee  exemplsiree  originsux  dont  Is  couverture  en 
pepier  eet  imprim<ie  sont  filmte  en  commenpsnt 
per  Ie  premie'  plet  et  en  terminsnt  soit  per  Is 
derniAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreseion  ou  d'lllustrstion,  soit  per  Ie  second 
plet,  selon  Ie  ces.  Tous  lee  eutres  exempielres 
origineux  sont  fllmto  en  commen9snt  per  Is 
promiire  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreeeion  ou  d'iliustrotion  et  en  terminsnt  per 
Ie  dernlAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  dee  symboies  suivsnts  sppsrsftrs  sur  Is 
derniAre  imege  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  Ie 
ces:  Ie  symbols  — *>  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  Ie 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  certee,  pisnches,  tebieeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmte  A  dee  teux  de  rMuction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  Ie  document  est  trop  grsnd  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  cliche,  11  eet  filmi  A  psrtir 
de  i'engle  supArieur  gsuche,  de  gsuche  A  droite, 
et  de  heut  en  bee,  en  prensnt  Ie  nombre 
d'Imeges  nicesssire.  Les  disgrsmmes  suivsnts 
iilustrent  Is  mithode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

r 


#• 


f 


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*'f*,^^y   ;^i^i^|ii 


*vt 


J 


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♦> 


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.*»Mirjfj.^'.4^, 


^^^  ^^^i^2m£^l^^OmDETABLE. 


I.    sun  from  the  Hold,    M,i„  ^,r- ,    v         "^  *<' C"  T/ Cf^Vfir    TO    H^STY    TRAVETT  dnc 


Mlurn   eul#|y 


Keferences  to  the  Map 


ON    TM  CANADA    SIDE. 


1.  Concert  Houae. 

«■  Col.  Clark's  old  place. 

».  Where  the  Epiacop'l  ch'rch 

•tood.    Burnt  by  inceiidi. 

ario*.     . 

4.«ite  of  BridgewatV  Village 
9.  Chippewa  Sattle  Ground. 
•  Tahi-b  Rock.    It  projects 
over  several  feet.     Visitors 
descend  hern   to  yo  under 
the  sheet   of  water,  or  to 
what  is  called  Terminstion 
Rock. 
"CiirroN   HoDSE,    on   the 
brow  of  the  hill,  where  the 
road  rises  from  the  ferry. 
•  Carriage  road    down    the 
bank. 

7.  Ferry  and  Guard  House. 


Distances  from  Feiry, 
U.  C. 


To  Clifton  BoHto,    roc  rods 
"Table  Rock,  j  „, 

"  B"rning  Spring.      \  u 
"  Bender's  Cave.        j  u 
"  Lundy's  Lane  Bailie 
Ground  ]  >, 

"Chippewa Battle G'ds  « 
"  Whirpool,  4  „ 

Stamford,  4  1, 

"  Mount  Dorclifster,  5  <i 
"  St.  Davids.  c  '< 

"  Brock's  Monument  8  " 
"  Queension,  g  « 

"  Fort    George,  and 

Niagara,  •  ]<  „ 
"  St.  Cathairnes,  12  « 
f  Wolerloo  Ferry,  14  .< 
"  Fort  Erie,  ,e  „ 

"  City  of  Toronto,    so  '< 


References  to  the  l^! 


ON    THE    AMIBICAN   III  ^ 


A.  Citnracl  Hotel. 

11.  Rii;;lo  Hotel. 

C.  Exchange  ,Jotel.        ' 

IJ.  Vwt.  Ofticp. 

K.R.ithbiirn'slnrgefoandn 

i'.Lnckpo.tStNi»|(rar«r 

Rail  Road  Office. 
O.  Biiflalo  t,  JViacara  I 

Rtt  Rond  Ortico, 
W.  Perry  &,  Ware's    Ol- 

iatory. 
I.  Pont   Vioiv   Garden 
Pajfodn.on  (he  spot  w 
Francis  Abbott  lived. 
J-  Wlinro   Alexander    went 

otr  the  bank. 
!^.  Proposed  _road  down  th« , 
bank.  ' 

{'■  Old  Indian  Ladder. 
M.  Cliapin's  Island. 
I  N.  Robinson's  Island. 
I   O.  Prospect  Island.  1 

!  P.  Q.  Sloop  and  Buy  IslandJ 
It.  P/ospect  Tower  and  TeH 

rapin  Rocks. 
S.  Rond,  washed  away.       ■ 
V.  Crcicent  or  Centre  r«Il| 
nnilor   which    is    Ingr« 
ham's  Cave, 
v.  Paper  .Mill. 
Z.  Prciibyleriun  Church. 


Distnncfls  from  Amel 
oaa  Hotels,  U.  SJ 


To  Rath  and  Iris  Island 
liri(l(;o,  4u  r| 

"  Forry  and  Ware's 

Observatory,       100 
"  Fcrr,'  Lurnhna      Mi 
'  Horso  Shoe  Pnlln 
crosfing  bridge  (c 
island, 
"  \V.ilk    round   the 

i^'and, 
"  Point  ViMw, 
"  Mineral  Spring 
"  Whirlpool, 
"  Devil's  lloln,  - 

"  Tn.<cnroru  Indian  Vi| 

"  Lewielon, 
"  Fort  Niagara,  . 

"  Lncl;port  by  r.  rnad.l 
"  8chlo:<scr,  steamboat  j 

landing, 
"  Toriawnnda  fc  Eric 

Canal, 
«  liufTalo   City,  t% 


fc 


My 


# 


;|l "  . 


.It 

4 


ri-H,^rl.« 


*ai.8iifcJ 


^ 


■^*w. 


'I 


* 


.r* 


■i 


lAGARA 


GENE 

:  feet  high.     IC— Arft< 

i  Falls,  estimated  at  9 

Frorn  £00  to  2§0 

// — where  llabiiison  « 


1850. 


•A^gMM^^^w^'l 


^' 


THE 


^m 


NIICIRI  FILLS  GUIDE 


¥ULL 


INSTRUCTIONS  TO  DIRECT 

THE 


To  A 


TRAVELLER 

LL   THE   Points    op   Intbrbst 


AT  THE  Falls  and  Vicikity. 


uriTii 


!^iiHAVU^uJ^ 


\      BUFFALO/.;^ 

rUBLlSUBO    BV    ^^  OUBRB. 

1850.  :': 


m 


-1l»'--1.flifc.„«,:.5r,- 


■i    • -^ 


•  •  '•.• 


■4^ 


I 


.yl 


■  v 


h?fc 


/iMfttf"^* 


»4 


Entered  According  to  act  of  Congress,  In  the  year  eighteen- 
hundred  forty-eight,  by  JAMES  FAXON,  in  the  Clerk's  Office 
of  the  District  Court  of  the  Northern  District  of  New- York. 


i 


/7S'0/S 


X 


CONTENTS. 


Arrangement,        «        «        « 

Travellers,  >  -      •  •     ... 

Falls  of  Niagara, 

Inquiries  Answered,    •  - 

Indian  Ladder,      .        .        . 

Puiut  View, 

Village  of  Niagara  Falls, 

Jaunt  to  the  Islands, 

Bridge  to  the  Island,       -        • 

Bath  Island, 

Amuri<.an  Flag  in  the  Rapids, 

Iris  Inland,     - 

Li^mhamsCave,     -         »         . 

i'rosjH   !  Island,      - 
Biddio  Stair  Case, 
llorae  Shoe  Falls,     '     *-       . 
Prospect  Tower,  «        ,, 

Moss  Island,  #        •        • 

Navy     "       -        -        .        . 
Steam  Boat  Caroline,     . 
Fort  Schlosser, 
Whirlpool,    . 


5 
11 
14 
20 
25 
26 
32 
34 
89 
44 
45 
46 
48 
51 

52 

64 

57 

59 

62 

64 

68 

Tf 


4 


It                               CONTEMI 

'•. 

Battle  of  the  Devils  Hole, 

75 

Lowiston, 

•       78 

Fort  Niagara,         .         , 

>     e'> 

Jaunt  to  Canada,     .    ^   ,     . 

.       83 

Suspension  Bridge,      ^  , 

»  •        •        1 

80 

View  from  the  Stairs,  ,  . 

91 

Catlin's  Cave,     .  .      ,  , 

.       92 

Bender's     *i        ^  .      .  , 

.       93 

Village  of  Clifton, 

06 

Table  Rock, 

97 

Passing  UiKler  the  Sh^et  of  water, 

•      99 

Termination  Rock,      .  • 

■        •        I 

100 

Brocks  Mopumenty         • 

•        • 

.     101 

Annuf.l  OflOering,             , 

t        •        t 

103 

Death  of  fljorgan. 

•         •        • 

104 

"     >  **,  ftr.  Hungeribrd, 

•    '    ; 

105 

**    >"    Miss  Riigg,      .     . 

•                      •                     4 

,     107 

(( 


<<    Mr.  AddingtoD  <Sc  Miss  DoForest^  109 


^l^ 


rm-.,* 


The    Arrangemekt. 


,"=  colloquial  form,  has  in  some 
places  been  adoptod.fn  affording 
direoljons  and  information  to 
travellers.       The  observation, 

imparted   to  strangers  in   L  ' 

'places.  ^        ""  '^'  Wropriate 

The  sketches  are  mar^A  ;«„♦<. 
Falls  and   vicinity  •  atd  I  .     ^^  '""""^  ""^ 
JAuNrs.  ^'  ''  '''"'''^''  '-"o  four 

.idlStiix^oT:;:,:''^"""^'''''^-- 

the  American!  '         1?^ """"'^  ^'"'^^ 

hotels,  in  half  an    our     bu  fb    r"'!"'"  ''■°'"  *'"' 

•now,  bu  t  the  feeling  of  iho.,a 


^■. 


« 


Guide  TO    the 


5-«»% 


The  Arrangement. 


who  go,  will  determine  the  period  of  their  stay. 
Some  have  thought  half  a  day  a  short  time  to 
spend  in  viewing  the  cataract  from  that  position, 
and  the  other  objects  to  which  their  attention  is 
drawn. 

The  Second  Jaunt  is  to  the  Islands.  Bath, 
Iris  or  Goat,  and  the  other  little  adjoining  Islands 
that  are  accessible.  It  may  bo  made  in  two 
hours.  Many  persons  spend  a  day,  and  repeat 
the  visit  frequently,  asserting,  that  the  interest 
excited  increases  the  oftener  the  scene  is  beheld. 

The  Third  Jaunt  is  to  the  Whirlpool.  It 
requires  three  hours  ;  and,  if  extended  to  the 
Devirs  Hole,  Indian  Village,  and  old  Fort  Niag- 
ara, a  day  or  more  will  be  pleasantly  spent  in 
the  excursion. 

The  Fourth  Jaunt  is  to  Canada.  This,  like 
the  visit  to  the  Falls,  may  be  accomplished  in 
less  than  an  hour  ;  but  it  would  be  superficial. 
Very  few  are  satisfied  with  such  a  slight  peep 
into' her  Majesty's  dominions.  They  like  to 
^isit  Table  Rock,  and  take  a  look  below,  through 
the  mist  and  under  the  sheet  of  falling  water. 

Should  the  visitor  design  visiting  the  C'lkada 
sido  of  the  river,  he  should  do  so  ia  the   aftor 


i  1*0  Arrarigom.'ntT 


An.er,can  side,  as  the  position  of  tl.o  S^.n  u 
;'.en  be  such  as  not  to  LornnJe  '!  .  T '  ' 
'"  grve  nn  opportunity  of  viewin..  ,!,„  »       , 

-..v.H.a„,..onti„uLo;;:2e;:;L;rr 

^>oi;raT:d'a::/''-r°'°''°-"--^- 

1     vord,  reference  .s  had  to  those  who  travel 
«.th,a.l.road  speed,  .nd  siK^h  are  traveller    i„ 
general  ,n  these  days,  and  not  to  those  who  ha  1 
e-ure.     To  such  as  have  time  and  oppo  tuj  t 
«o  per,od  can  be  fixed  ;  all  dependson  the  r  o,^^ 
'-l.ress,ons.     If  they  are  uneLited  and  u"  n.er" 
osted,  the,r  slay  will  be  short;  they  will  cast  a 
rfuU  and  unimpassioneJ  look  over  ,h'  sc  LaL 
hurry  away      Others  who  have  f.lt  diflereni; 

S..11  extolling  them,   and   spending  their   time 
much  to  their  satisfaction. 


^^ 

1 

i 

■ 

1 

1 
1 

■ 

1 

. 

/ 

i. 

J 


ff 


-%\ 


A  JAUNT 


TO 


THE  FALLS  OF  NIAGARA. 


ON  THB 


AMERICAN    SIDE. 


ry* 


TnE   Tra 


V  E  L  L  E  R  8  . 


»?     (( 


party  from  a  distant  ci iy  are  on 
a  tour  of  pleasure  to  the  Falls. 
The  cars  having  arrived  at  iho 
village,  the  passengers  are  salu- 
ted  with-"  passengers   for   tbo 

,r  J       .  " ~^^Sg^8^"  for  the ^ 

Madam?"  -  do  you  go  to  the ,  Sir  ^'' 

and  all  the  jargon  and  noise  which  a  full 
array  of  the  runners  and  waiters  from  the 
iiotels  can  utter. 

beZT'"'""'  ^r''"^"^"^-  "P'heir  minds, 
befoie  their  arnval,  or  afterward.,.  »n  ,„  .k„.-! 


12 


Guide  to  the 


The  Path. 


i 


hotel,  eater  their  names,  secure  their  rooms,  and 
breakfast,  dine,  or  sup,  as  the  case  may  be,  and 
when  prepared  make  their  first  visit  to  the  Falls. 
The  aid  ot'  a  guide  is  useful  to  such  as  can 
afford  it,  to  point  out  the  different  views,  and  to 
impart  a  full  knowledge  of  all  the  localities,  but 
with  this  book,  can  be  dispensed  with. 

If  stopping  at  the  Cataract  Hotel,  the  visitors 
as  they  leave  the  Hotel  will  pass  to  the  left  to  the 
first  street ;  proceeding  down  this  street  to  the 
"  Old  Curiosity  Shop,''  If  at  the  Eagle  Hotel 
leave  by  the  steps  at  the  end  of  the  Hotel  on 
Bridge  Street,  and  passing  to  the  left  they  soon 
arrive  at  the  "  Old  Curiosity  SJiop,''  where  will 
be  found  a  great  variety  of  articles  of  Indian 
manufacture,  and  where  any  information  in  re- 
gard to  the  Palls  will  be  cheerfully  given. 

On  leaving  the  **01d  Curiosity  Shop,'*  they 
will  pass  around  the  building  to  the  right,  through 
the  Grove  to  the  Ferry  stairs  and  Point  View 
Garden.  If  the  visitors  are  at  the  Falls  Hotel 
or  should  conclude  to  go  directly  to  the  Falls  from 
the  Cars,  they  will  continue  along  the  Rail  Road 
until  they  pass  the  Depot,  and  thence  following 
the  path  through  a  grove  of  trees  t:)  Point  View 


Falls    of   Niagara . 


13 


First  ImpresBiona. 


Garden,  they  will  behold  the  Falls  at  once  be'- 
fore  them,  rolling  majestically,  and  displayinir 
all  their  grandeur.  f    /    « 

*'How  magnificent!" 

*'  Truly,  the  half  has  not  been  told  !'» 

"it  is  grand—it  is  dreadful !" 

"  They  are  terrible,  yet  beautiful !" 

''  They  appear  small  at  a  distance,  and.  at  first 

•ight,  I  was   disappointed.      They  exceed  my 

expectations.'* 

**  Never  have  I  beheld,  or  imagined,  any  thing 
comparable  to  this.'' 

Such  are  some  of  tho  many  expressions  which 
break  from  travellers,  and  show  forth  their  emo- 
tions  ;  they  are  generally  those  of  admiration, 
mmgled  with  pleasure  ;  but  many  gaze  and  won- 
der  in  silence. 


14 


Guide     to    the 


Niagara. 


The  Falls  op  Niagara. 


I 


SH 


••Tremendous  torrent !  for  an  Instant  hush 
The  terrors  of  Uiy  voice,  and  cast  aside 
'J'hose  w  ild  involving  r hi.dows,  that  my  cyci 
May  see  the  Icarful  beauty  of  thy  face."  ' 

N  the  western  boundary  of  the 
State   of  New   York,  runs    iho 
Niagara   river,   in   a   northern 
dirccllon.and  the  centre  of  which 
is  the  boundary  line  between  tho 
United   States  and  the  dominions  of  Great 
'Britain.     The  Niagara  is  the  outlet  of  tho 
vast   chain   of  western   lakes,   beginning 
with  lake  Superior  and  its  hundred  tributa- 
ry  streams,  and  is  the  principle  inlet  of  lake 
Ontario.       Niagara  is  derived  from  tho  Indian, 
and  was  called  by  them    Omjakarra,   according 
to  David   Cusick,  of  the  Tuscarora   tribe,   who 
published  a  pamphlet  in  1827. 

The  Falls  are  twenty-tM'O  miles  from  lake 
Erie,  and  fourteen  from  hike  Ontario.  The  two 
branches  of  the  river   which  encompass  Grand 


Palls    op    Niagar 


15 


Kapida. 


and  other  Islands,  unite  a  mUG  above  th^apidy 
and  it  is  there  two  miles  in  width. 

As  it  advances  the  current  accelerates   in  its 
downward  course,  and  the  channel    contracts  ia 
width.     From  tranquil  and  glossy,  a   slight  rip. 
plo  is  seen  to  move  the  surface  ;  it  next  assume.^ 
a  descending   and   cradle-liko    movement ;  tho 
waves  enlarge,   tho  tops  roll    over    each   other, 
and  are  broken  into  white-caps  and  sprny.     Tho 
whole  body  of  the  mighty  river  becomes  agita- 
toJ,    as  if  conscious   of  tho    groat    plunge  it  is 
about  to  make.     The  placia  .♦ream  has  become 
a  rushing   torrent,  broken    into  .r-iscades,    ani 
sweeping  billows.     Its  own  momentum  presses  it 
forward  with   irresistable  violence  ;  from  ridgo 
to  ridge  it  bounds,  until  it  reaches   the   perpen- 
dicular rock,  and  there  it  sweeps  over,  and  falls 
below.     The  water  boils  up  from  beneath,  like 
a  sea  of  white  foam  ;  the  spray  rises   in  clouds 
which  hang  dirk  and  heavy  above,  or  are  wafted 
away   by  tho   current  of  wind  ;    and    rainbows 
encircle  below  and  above  this  most  wonderful  of 
Nature's  works. 

Iris   Island   is  in  the  midst  of  the  Falls,  and 
separates  the  water  into  two  great  sheets.       A 


10 


Guide     to    tiir 


The  ^alls. 


•mailer  sheet  is  struck  ofT  by  Prospect  Island, 
passing  between  that  and  Iris  Island.  The  por- 
tion between  the  Islands  and  the  American  shore 
ia  loss  than  the  main  channel  which  separates 
Canada  from  the  United  States,  and  passes  on 
the  western  side  of  Iris  lUand.  In  that  channel 
is  borne  along  a  volume  of  water  of  immense 
magnitude,  the  drain  of  more  than  150,000 
square  miles  of  surface  of  lakes  and  rivers. 

How  sublime  the  object  that  is  presented  to 
the  enraptured  beholder !  Such  a  body  of  con- 
gregated water  poured  at  once  over  so  high  a 
precipice,  and  falling  perpendicularly  into  the 
chasm  below,  whose  depth  it  is  not  possible  for 
man  to  fathom. 

The  rushing,  roaring  sound  which  is  emitted 
by  the  falling  water—the  variety  of  colors  pre- 
sented  to  the  eye ;  the  splendor  yet  sublimity  of 
the  scene— are  new  to  the  spectator,  and  create 
emotions  difficult  to  be  described. 

The  sounds  are  those  of  the  stormy  ocean  and 
overwhelming  tempest ;  there  is  one  continued 
roar,  yet  other  sounds  arise,  fitful    and   varied. 

Some  persons,  at  times,  have  fancied  noisea 
•trango  and  mysterious ;  the  intonations  of  the 


Falls   of   Niagara. 


It 


Soundt. 


bass  drum-tho  slow  solemn  and  heavy  report 
of  artillcry-the  swelling  note  of  the  trumpet, 
and  even  the  human  voice  in  agony,  has  been 
hoard  by  muny  imaginative  enthusiasts.  But 
the  similarity  of  the  sounds  to  the  bass  drum, 
and  to  artillery  are  so  near,  at  timed,  that  per' 
•ons  have  been  repeatedly  deceived. 

It  requires  a  long  residence  to  become  famil- 
iar  to,  and  regardless  of  the  noise.  To  some  it 
creates  unpleasant  sensations,  but  generally 
liiey  aro  those  of  a  contrary  character.  To 
Ihoso  who  are  residents,  the  quietude  which 
•eems  to  prevail  when  they  visit  any  of  the  ad- 
jacent vilages,  make  it  appear  to  them  like  the 
stillness  of  Sunday. 

Strangers  who  remain  over  night,  though  the 
sound  of  tho  Falls  is  in  their  ears  when  they 
retire  to  rest,  yet  when  they  happen  to  awake 
from  their  slumbers,  frequently  fancy  themselves 
m  the  midst  of  a  tempest ;  the  house  trembles, 
the  windows  and  doors  clatter,  the  wind  rushes 
and  whistles  around,  the  rain  pours ;  r.nd  amid 
all,  they  hear  the  unceasing  sound  of  the  catar- 
act. They  rise  to  look  out  upon  the  ra^in*. 
•torm ;  and  when  they  draw  the  curtain,  or 
^hrow  up  the   window,   they   perceive  that   the 


18 


G  u  I 


D  B      TO      T  11  K 


Roar  of  itm  Villi. 


lii)' 


19 

is* 


stars  nro  shining  sweetly,  and  not  a  zopliyr  d 
tuibs  the  pedaiit  leavens. 

In  heavy  weather  ti  o  sound  is  louder,  and 
heard  farther ;  and  to  those  who  live  at  ad 
tance,  though  within  hearing  of  the  Falls,  they 
are  an  unfailing  barometer.  After  a  pleasant 
turn  of  weather,  during  which  the  sound  lins 
just  been  perceptible,  often  gradually  and  some- 
times suddenly,  the  increased  roar  of  the  catrir- 
ftct  com33  upon  the  oar.  A  change  of  weather 
takes  place,  and  a  storm  follows. 

Jn  some  directions  the  roar  of  the  Falls  is 
not  heard  over  six  or  seven  miles  ;  along  the 
course  of  the  river  they  are  constantly  percepti- 
ble for  about  fourteen  miles  ;  they  have  been 
occasionally  heard  at  the  distance  of  thirty  miles  ; 
and  in  one  instance  an  individual  asserts  to  have 
heard  them  in  the  city  of  Toronto,  in  Canada, 
distant  forty-four  miles. 

The  concussion  of  the  falling  Wv-^ters  jar  the 
adjoining  shores,  and  the  houses  tren^c..,  u  con- 
cert with  the  unceasing  shock. 

This  may  be  questioned  by  those  who  have 
only  spent  an  hour  or  two  at  the  Falls,  in  the 
c:  ?«.r,  serene,  and  bland  weather  of  summer ; 
lat  /  >cd  who  have  remained  there  longs  r  will 


Falls    op    Niagara. 


19 


Coiif  uesion. 


certify  to  the  fact.     If  a  door  is  left  njar  itW- 
brnlos  ;  if  a  window  is  loose  it  clatters  ;  nnd  even 
sitting  quietly  at  their  firo-sidcs,  the  inhabitants 
will,  at  times,    perceive  a   tremulous    motion, 
which,  they  con    trace    to  the  Falls.     There  is 
much  difierencc  in  hearing  the  Falls ;  at  a  short 
distance  from  them  the  noise   is  not  unpleasant, 
but  close  to  the  sheets  of  water,  to  many  per.^ons 
Jt  IS  almost  overwhelming.      Jt  is   believed   bv 
many  abroad,  that  persons  long  resident  at   thn 
Falls  become  hard   of  hearing.      That   this  it, 
generally  so  cannot  be  positively  asserted.     A 
lady  of  Lewiston,  who  several  years  since  visi- 
ted the  Falls,   asserts,  that  to  her  the  noise  was 
.so  intense   as  to  deprive    her  of  hearing  in  one 
ear  ;  and  though  many  years  hnd   since  passed 
slie  has  not    recovered  from  the  deafness    with 
which  she  was  then  struck.     And  yet  mnny  vis- 
itors  express  themselves  greatly  disappointed  as 
to  the  noise  of  the  Falls  ;  they  expect  to  hear  it 
heavier  and  louder.     Nothing  but  bursting  boil, 
ers  ;  roaring  cannon,  pealing  thunder,  or  crash- 
ing earthquakes  can  come  up  to  the  expectation 
of  such  persons. 


■4ir 


ij6 


GuiOB     TO    TB« 


luquiries  Aoiwered' 


Inquiries    Answered. 

■•'  Trifles  on  an  interesting  aubjeci, 
Cease  to  be  trifles." 

As   many    inquiries   are 

made  as  to  places,  distances, 

I  and  on  a  variety   of  other 

I  subjects,  the  following  para* 

graphs  are  intended  as  ans- 

^^  wers  to  such,  and  afford  in  the 

shortest  practicable  way,  the 

information  required. 

The  form  of  the  Falls  is  a 
curve.      That  part  between 
Ii-is  Island  and  Canada  is  cal- 
led the  Horse  Shos  Falls. 

The  western  or  Horse  Shoe  Fall  is  about  seven 
hundred  yards  in  circumference. 

The  Fail  on  the  northern  side  of  the  Island  ii 
three  hundred  and  thirty  yards. 

The  centre  Fall  between  iris  and  Prospect 
islands,  it  about  thirty-three  ya  -ds. 


Falls    op    Niagara. 


21 


Width  of  the  Falls. 


The  whole  distance  around  the  curre,  inclu- 
ding Ins  and  Prospect  islands,  is  computed  at  one 
housand  four  hundred  yards.  The  height  of 
the  Falls  on  the  American  side,  is  one  hundred 
and  sixty  four  feet ;  on  the  Canada  side,  one 
hundred  and  fifty  eight  feet. 

From  Chippeiva  to  Schlosser  the  river  is  the 
widest.  The  descent  from  these  places  to  the 
great  pitch  is  estimated  at  ninety  feet.  At  the 
ferry  below  the  Falls,  the  river  is  fifty .sj^  rods 
wide,  t  has  been  crossed  in  five  minutes;  it 
ordinarily  requires  ten. 

The  cloud  of  spray  which  arises  from  the  Falls 
.s  always  seen,  except  when  scattered  by  the 
wmd.  It  is  sometimes  seen  from  a  great  dis- 
tance,  even  from  that  of  one  hundred  miles- 
Computations  have  been  made  of  the  quantity 
of  water  that  passes  over  the  Falls,  One  is 
that  5,084,089,280  barrels  descend  in  twenty! 
four  hours;  211,836,753  in  an  hour;  3,530  614 
'n  a  minute ;  and  68,«43  in  a  second.  This 
statement  is  undoubtedly  within  bound.,  and  the 
quantity  is  probably  considerably  more. 
The  average  height  of  the  banks  abou,  the 

2 


22 


Guide  TO    the 


1    ! 


Height  of  the  banks. 


Fall,  is  from  two  hundred  to  two  hundred  and 
fifty  feet. 

You  can  go,  for  a  short  distance  from  Iris  Is- 
land: under  the  spray  of  the  Horse  Shoe  Falls  ; 
some  have  called  it  going  under  the  Horse  Shoo 
Falls,  but  this  is  saying  too  much. 

The  principle  spot  visited,  for  going  under  tho 
sheet  of  water,  is  Table  Rock.  Even  thare,  it 
is  fashionable  to  speak  of  the  distance  advanced 
in  exaggerated  terms. 

Great  difference  of  opinion  exists  as  to  the 
best  view  of  the  scene  of  many  wonders.  One 
says  "  the  best  view  of  the  Falls  is  from  Table 
Rock.''  Another,  "  the  best  view  to  be  had  is 
from  the  centre  of  the  river  in  crossing-.''  A 
third,  "  at  the  Chinese  Pagoda,  near  the  Ferry." 
A  fourth,  "  the  best  view  is  from  the  foot  of  the 
Ferry  stairs  on  the  American  side."  A  fifth, 
"  the  grandest  views  of  all  are  from  the  point 
of  Iris  Island,  where  it  overlooks  the  Horse  Shoe 
Falls,  and  from  the  tower  at  the  Terrapin 
Rocks." 

After  all  it  must  be  conceded  that  the  view  of 
the  Falls  in  Canada,  surpasses  any  on  the  Amer- 


Fails    of    Niagara. 

Anuual  numbur  of  Visllors. 


23 


v.ews ;  your  eye  passes  over  the  varL  p  -I 
,>ecsp,eoeby  piece;  on  the  Canada  sideTou 
have  a  full  v.evv.  On  the  American  side  com- 
parmg  arge  things  with  small,  you  not  onljol 
a>pyjhe  stage   box,    but  you   go  behiJthe 

Persons  who  visit  the  Palls  to  form  a  ri^ht 
conception  of  the  wonders  of  this  country  should 
pass  over  to  Iris  Island,  should  visit  the  wh.rN 
pool  and  great  rapids  along  the  river,  and  should 
cross  into  Canada. 

iJjT  '''\"P''^"^  °f  '^«  '^ater  below   the 
lall  ,  It  has  been  difficult  to  fathom  it,  but  as 

St:;  fer^"^~'»^'^' '•--•'-<''-' 

The  ferrymen  convey  baggage  safely  from 
one  side  of  the  river  to  the  other  for  a  fafr  com 
pensation. 

The  number  of  visitors  increase  yearly.     I„ 
1838  from    the  best  authority  the  number  ex- 

by  one  third,  that  of  any  other  year.  In  1840 
an  1841,  though  the  pressure  ofthe  times  t« 
unprecedetited,  yet  the  number  of  visitor  in 


24 


Guide     to    the 


Number  of  Visitors. 


each  year  was  as  great,  if  not  greater  than  in 
the  previous  years.  In  1842  and  '43,  the  num- 
bers were  about  the  same  as  in  years  previous, 
since  which  the  number  has  been  steadily  in- 
creasing, until  in  1847  the  number  was  estimated 
at  45,000,  and  last  year  about  the  same. 


Falls  op  Niagara. 


The  Indian  Ladder. 


25 


The  Indian   Ladde 


A. 


BOUT  one  hundred  rods  below 
the  Falls  and  the  guide  points 
out  a  notch  in  the  bank.     Here 
is  the  oldest  place  for  descen- 
ding to  the  Falls  ;    it  is  called 
the  Indian  Ladder.     The  Ladder  con- 
sisted of  a  cedar  tree,    lying  sloping 
against  the  rocks.     The  natural  branch- 
es and  notches  cut  in   the  body  of  the 
trees,  were  the  only  slight  helps  afforded 
to   those   who    went  down.        The    last    per- 
son known  to  have  descended,   was  a  hunter  by 
the   name   of  Brooks.     He   was   in  pursuit  of 
some   game   which  he  had  shot,  and  had  fallen 
below.     He  got  about  half-way  down,  when  he 
slipped,  and  fell  between  twenty  and  thirty  feet, 
and  was  badly  injured. 


26 


Guide    to    th  e 


■i* 


Point  View. 


Point    View. 

'«I  am  on  the  brink 
Of  the  great  waters:  and  their  authentic  voice 
Goes  up  arnid  the  rainbow  and  the  mist  j 
Their  chorus  shakes  the  ground. 


oiNT  View,   on   the   American 

side,  not  a   neio  position,  ns  the 

clear  surface  of  the   bank  and 

well   trod   path  will  show,  but 

one  hardly  mentioned  by  any 

who  have  written  upon  this  subject,  was 

the  spot  from  which  Vanderlyn  sketched 

one  of  his  great  paintings  of  the  Falls. 

On  the  projecting  rock  at  Point  View 
stands  the  Pagoda,  from  the  summit  of  which 
the  spectator  beholds  the  unrivalled  prospect 
which  is  spread  before  him,  and  no  visitor  at  the 
Falls  should  leave  without  visiting  it ;  they  not 
only  from  that  point  obtain  one  of  the  grandest 
views  of  the  Falls,  but  they  will  find  any  inqui. 


Falls    op   Niagara. 


29 


The  Pagoda. 


ries  answered  by  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Robinson,in  such  a 
manner  as  to  leave  no  doubt  of  their  accuracy 
or  the  cheerfulness  with  which  they  are  given. 
The  Pagoda  is  seventy-five  feet  above  the 
Falls,  and  the  ground  itself  is  thirty  feet  higher 
than  the  Falls.  An  easy  staircase  leads  to 
the  top  on  which  is  placed  a  Camera  Obscura 
not  surpassed  if  equalled,  for  minute  and  living 
delineation  by  any  other  in  the  world  ;  exhibit- 
ing in  all  its  briliant  colouring  the  splendid 
scenery  of  the  Falls,  the  bridge  and  the  numer- 
ous picturesque  islands  that  stud  the  River,  the 
rapids  above  and  below  the  mighty  Cataract  ; 
the  rich  amphitheatre  of  the  Canadian  shore — 
in  short  a  panoramic  view  of  everything  stationa- 
ry or  in  motion  that  is  about. 

Two  hundred  feet  below  the  rock  on  which 
the  Pagoda  stands  lie  the  calm  dark  waters  of 
the  river,  bounded  on  either  side  with  rock  and 
precipice ;  the  adjoining  shores  crowned  with 
native  forest  trees,  and  in  the  distance  green 
meadows,  blooming  orchards  and  rising  villages. 
He  looks  at  the  great  object  of  his  gaze  with 
sensations  of  reverence  ;  the  white  sheets  hang- 
ing in  mid  air ;  the  waters  foaming  and  hurry- 


80 


Guide    to  the 


Beauty  and  Grandeur  of  the  Falla 


ing  from  beneath  those  that  impend  above  ;  the 
spray  rusliing  up  from  the  deep  cavern,  and  ri- 
sing in  clouds  which  hnng  as  a  pillar  of  smoko 
over  this  sublime  sanctuary  of  nature's  myste- 
ries. The  rocky  base  of  fris  I^Innc ,  dividing 
the  Falls,  with  its  tall  trees,  towering  above  the 
water;  the  Tcrrnpin  rocks  on  tho  American 
side,  and  Table  rock,  in  Canada  :  altogether  tho 

scene   is,   beyond   conception,  unique   and  im- 
posing. 

Tt  is  thought  by  some  that  tho  terms  in  whicli 

the  Falls  arc  spoken   of  and  usually  described, 

are  two  high  and  exaggerated.     U  the  Englisli 

and  Scotch  poets  arc  any  criterion  for  descrip. 

live  expressions,  (and  that   they   are   the   true 

standard,  all  will  allow,)  so  far  then  from  being 

exaggerated,  the  terms  applied  to  the  Falls  are 

but  tame   and  feeble.      Several   of  the  authors 

alluded  to,  have  afforded  poetical  descriptions  of 

waterfalls  in  the  United  Kingdom,   in  which  all 

the  epithets  of  beauty  and   grandeur  have  been 

exhausted   in  the  labored  delineation— descrip- 

tions  so  lofty  as  to   leave  nothing  to   add,  even 

when  applied  to  the  Falls  of  Niagara.      Look 

at  the  objects  as  nature  presents  them  ;— a  brook 


m 


Falls   op   Niagara. 


31 


Fubllme  and  Terrible  Scenes. 


or  mill  racG  to  a  mighty  river— a   pond  to  an 
ocean.     Indeed,  there  is  no  term   of  our    lan- 
guage too  high,  or  idea  of  our  imagination  ade- 
quately  comprehensive  to  describe  this  profound 
and_ impressive  scene.      The  mind   awe-struck, 
is  overwhelmed   and   lost    amid    the   elcmcnlnl 
strife.      And  it  is  not  only  so  as  regards  the 
Falls,  but  the  whole  of  that  portion  of  the  Niag- 
ara river,  from  the  commencement  of  the  rapids 
below  Navy  Island  to   tho  eddying  and  heavy 
current  at  Lewiston,  is  without  doubt  ono  of  the 
most  wonderful  of  tho  works  of  nature,  and  af- 
fords scenes'^  with  but  few  exceptions,  more  sub- 
lime  and  terrible  than  is  exhibited  in  any  other 
land. 


32 


Guide     to    the 


1 


Niagara  Falls  Village. 


Village    or   Niagara    Falls. 

"  Lend  on— to  yonder  village  lead, 
Where  heaven  has  happiness  decreed 

For  those  the  blessings  prize  ; 
Who  seeks  in  solitary  case» 

Such  joys  as  innocently  please. 
Nor  wish  for  other  joys." 


N  1805,  Augustus  Porter,  Poter 
B.  Porter,  Benjamin  Barton,  and 
Joseph  Annin,  Esqr's,  became, 
by  purchase  of  the  State  of  New 
York,  the  proprietors  of  a  con- 
siderable tract  of  land,  lying  immedi- 
ately adjacent  to  the  Falls  of  Niagara. 
They  laid  out  a  village  which  was  called 
Grand  Niagara,  but  was  soon  changed 
to  Manchester.  This  name  it  retained  for  sev- 
eral years ;  but  as  much  inconvenience  arose 
from  there  being  several  other  places  in  the  state 
of  the  same  name,  it  was  altered  to  Niagara 
Falls,  which  is  the  name  of  the  post-office.  In 
1813,  the  village  was  burnt  by  the  enemy,     Af- 


Falls    op  Niagara. 


33 


Niagara  Falla  VUlnire. 


ter  the  war,  the  citizens  returned,  and  it  has  very 
gradually  increased  since  then  in  buildings  and 
inhabitants.  In  1836  the  survey  of  the  village 
was  greatly  extended  ;  the  lands  became  in 
great  demand,  and  large  soles  could  have  been 
made  at  enormous  prices ;  and  some  lots  were 
sold. 

Mr.  Z.  Allen,  an  engineer  of  reputation,  has 
communicated  to  Silliman's  Journal  an  estimate 
of  the  hydraulic  power  of  Niagara  Falls,  based 
on  actual  measurement,  and  the  result  shows 
that  the  power  is  equal  to  that  of  4,.533j334 
horses,  or  nineteen  times  greater  than  the  whole 
motive  power  of  Great  Britain. 

The  location  is  commended  for  its  healthiness, 
and  for  rural  beauty  it  is  unexcelled.  It  affords 
the  finest  places  for  residences  for  those  who 
wish  to  combine  elegance  of  scenery  and  salu- 
brity of  air,  of  any  on  the  Niagara  frontier. 

Nature  has  done  everything  ;  but   as  to  the  vil- 
lage of  the  Falls,  man  has  done  but  little. 


A    JAUNT 


TO 


IRIS  AND   OTHER   ISLANDS 


IN  THE  VICINITY  OF 


NIAGARA    FALLS 


>  ■ 


"  Say,  shall  we  wind 
Along  the  streams,  or  walk  the  smiling  mead, 
Or  court  the  forest  glade?" 


HERE  are  several  Is]ands,which 
from  their  locality  and  peculiar 
position   in   reference    to    the 
Falls,  have  attracted  the  atten- 
tion and  curiosity  of  strangers, 
and  a  visit  to  some  of  them  is  never  neglect- 
'ed  by  those  who  have  an  opportunity. — 
The  one  the  most  interesting  is  Iris,  or  as 
it  is  commonly  called,  Goat  Island.     Many 
years  since,  a  resident  of  Schlosser  put  some 


Falls  op   Niagara. 


35 


Iris  Island 


Goats  on  the  island,  and  hence  the  name.     The 
present   proprietors   have   given  it  the  name  of 
Iris  /sland.     As  that  is  very  appropiate  it  is  pro- 
per that  it  should  be  generally  adopted. 
.       It  lies  in   latitude  43  ©  6  and   longitude  2  ®  5 
west   from    Washington  city,  and  contains  be- 
tween sixty   and  seventy  acres.     Though    the 
soil  is  an  accumulation  of  earth  upon  a  heap,  of 
rocks,  yet  it  is  very  fertile,  producing  all  the  na- 
tive plants  of  the  country  in   great   luxuriance. 
A  circuit  round  it  which  visitors  usually  tako  is 
about  a  mile.     By  the  boundary  commissioners 
who  were  appointed  under  the  treaty  of  Ghent, 
it  was  very  properly  adjudged  to  belong  to   the 
United  States  and  the  Indian  title  being  extin- 
guished it  fell  into  the  hands  of  private  individ- 
uals.     Just  at  the  upper  end  of  the  Island  com- 
mence the  terrific  rapids  that  lead  on  to  the  Falls. 
There  the  river  divides,  the  main  body  passing 
on  the  south-western  side,  and  the  lesser  on  the 
north-eastern.      The  lower  end  of  the  island  is 
like  the  main  shore  below  the  Falls— A  perpen- 
dicular bank  from  seventy  to  ninety  feet,  and 
thence  to  "the  waters  edge,  a  sloping  precipice  of 
from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and   twenty 


>i 


36 


Guide  to  the 


Jaunt  to  the  Island. 


feet.  A  small  portion  of  the  island  has  been 
cleared  off,  and  is  in  a  state  of  cultivation  ;  but 
the  principal  part  is  yet  covered  with  native  for- 
est trees,  of  various  kinds,  through  the  density 
of  some  of  which,  when  covered  with  their  rich 
foliage,  the  rays  of  the  sun  are  seldom  admitted. 

In  making  the  tower  of  the  island,  occasion 
will  be  taken  to  mention  and  describe  such  other 
islands  that  Jie  in  the  Niagara  river,  as  have  in 
any  way  drawn  the  attention  of  the  public. 


ALLS  OP    Niagara. 


Jaunt  to  the  Island. 


37 


J  A  U  xN  T     TO     THE     I  S  L  A  N  D  . 

*•  Co  to  the  cool  nod  shady  bowcrg, 

Where  flow  the  wild  cascade?  ; 
Stroll  through  each  green  and  deep  reccr. 

And  dark  romantic  glades. 
Then  rest  thee  on  the  mos.:y  bank, 

Or  onward  further  stray, 
And  gaze  upon  the  mighty  stream. 

That  winds  its  course  away" 


|he  party  leave   the    hotel,    and 
turn  down  a  short  street  called 
Bridge  street.       They   fall  into 
conversation  with  the  guide,  ma- 
k^*"g  such    inquiries  of  him   as 
j|^  are  usually   interesting  to  travellers,   and 
such  as  are  commonly  made.       The  infor- 
mation which  follows  is  in  answer  to  such 
questions.     Besides  seeing  the  Falls,    trav- 
elers who   remain  for  any  langth  of  time,  find 
various  amusements. 

The  Pleasure  Garden,  comprising  about  one 
acre  of  ground,  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Falls  is 
an  attractive  place.  ' 

3 


38 


Guide     to    the 


".'^ 


m 

I     1  li 


Amusements. 


For  those  who  like  in. door  exercise,  there  la 
a  ball  or  ten-pin  alley.  There  is  also  in  the 
village,  got  up  expressly  for  the  use  of  travel- 
lers, several  billiard  tables. 

Some  resort  to  the  baths  ;  others  balhe  in 
the  river.  Some  amuse  themselves  in  fishing  ; 
others  in  fowling,  and  in  seeking  after  the  great 
bald  eagle.  Some  of  the  noblest  of  the  species 
have  been  found  iiithi,-!  quarter  ;  specimens  of 
which  are  to  be  seen  at  the  various  places  of 
rcGorton  both  sides  of  the  river. 

Tho  generality  of  travellers  ride  to  those 
places  which  it  has  become  fashionable  to  visit  : 
Old  Fort  Schlosscr,  up  the  river— the  Mineral 
Spring — the  Whirpoo! — the  Devils  Hole,  the 
Tuscaroras  Indian  vilage,  and  Fort  Niagara, 
and  good  carriages,  with  careful  drivers  that 
will  act  as  guides,  can  be  had  at  tho  livery 
stable  of  the  Messrs  Hamlin,  on  Bridge  street. 

Reside  these,  considerable  time  may  be  spent 
most  pleasantly  in  a  trip  to  Canada. 

The  party  are  descending  a  small  declivity, 
towards  the  bridge,  to  the  island. 

Traveller — "  Indeed,  this  prospect  is  very 
grand  ;    those   majestic   waves,    bounding   ^^""d 


Falls    op    Niagara. 


39 


The  Bridge  to  the  Island. 


them  !  Iloro  .s  nature  in  all  her  might,  and  the 
at  of  man  tnump./ng  over  obstacles  appearing 
almost  insurmountable. 


TheBriboexo   the   Island. 

HE  construction  of  this  bridge 
appeared   almost  incredible  to 
an  individual  who  happened  to 
be  at  this  place  when  the  work 
was   going  forward.     One   or 
two  of  the  piers  only  were  laid  down.— 
He  enquired  of  the   workmen  the  object 
of  the  bridge  and  where  it  was  going.— 
''  To    the  island,"  was   the  reply.      ''  I 
don't  want  to  live  any  longer,"  said  the  stranger, 
*'  than  until  you  get  this  bridge  to  the  island.^' 
He  could  not  be  convinced  that  its  construction 
was  practicable. 


•^: 


1  t'l 


40 


Guide    to    the 


Erection  of  the  Bridge. 


The  first  bridge  erected  to  the  island — in  1817 
— was  built  further  up  the  river,  opposite  to  the 
residence  of  the  late  Judge  Porter.  The  winter 
after  its  erection — in  1818 — it  was  carried  away 
by  the  ice,  and  in  the  following  summer  a  bridge 
was  built  on  the  present  site,  passing  to  Bath 
Island.  In  1839  it  was  rebuilt  ;  the  present 
construction  is  more  firm  and  substantial  than 
was  the  first. 

The  erection  of  this  bridge  has  universally 
received  the  commendation  of  travellers.  It 
enables  them,  with  a  trifling  expense,  to  visit 
the  island  with  safety  and  convenience  ;  an] under- 
taking which  before,  was  attended  with  consid- 
erable expense  and  some  exposure  to  danger,  it 
has  thrown  open  to  public  view,  one  of  the 
wonders  of  the  world  ;  which,  to  the  greatest 
proportion  of  visitors,  could  only  be  seen  at  a 
distance.  The  income  of  the  bridge  is  consid- 
erable, but  no  more  than  a  fair  return  for  such 
a  work. 

The  celebrated  Indian  Chief,  Red  Jacket, 
passed  over  this  bridge  with  one  of  the  proprie- 
tors, shortly  after  it  was  completed.  His  sinister 
feelings  towards  white  men  and  his  envy  of 


Falls   op   Niagara. 


41 


Ked  Jacket. 


their  superiority  over  his  brothers  of  the  forest 
are  well  known.  As  he  walked  along,  the  min-' 
glod  emotions  of  hate,  envy  and  admiration, 
which  rankled  in  his  bosom,  were  expressed 
every  little  while,  as  he  looked  on  the  dashing 
waters,  firm  piers  and  secure   superstructure, 

with" Yankee"" Vor,i.»   «       ,  . 

laiiKee,      I  ankee,"  applying 

an  epithet  not  proper  to  mention,  though  easily 
guessed  ;— one  demonstrative  more  of  spite  than 
good  will. 

Arriving  at  Bath  Island,  the  travellers  ascend 
the  bank,  enter  the  toll-house  and  pay  the  charge 
of  twenty-five  cents  each,  which  gives  the  indi- 
v.dual  the  privilege  of  visiting  the  island  durine 
his  stay  at  the  Falls  or  at  any  time  thereafter 
for  the  current  year. 


44 


Guide    to   th 


E 


Bath  Island. 


h  P' 


m  4,  I 


B  A  TH    Island. 

"  The  isle  is  full  of  noises. 
Sounds  that  give  delight,  and  hurt  not-" 


traveller  thus  speaks  of  tliig 
island  ;  "It  is  itself  a  curiosity 
worth  beholding.  To  visit  this 
alone  would  be  worth  the  cost 
of  the  bridge  which  leads  to  it^ 
Why,  it  is  a  perfect  chaos  !  How  the 
waters  rush  and  roar  along,beating  vainly 
against  the  impregnable  rock  to  which  it 
is  bound  !  Tlioso  trees  and  green  patches, 
the  broken  surface  and  firm  rocks  are  all  in 
unison  with  each  other.  Nature  has  charms 
here,  amid  the  boisterous  waters  of  the  Niagara, 
that  I  little  imagined." 

On  the  south  side  of  the  Island  is  a  paper 
manufactory.  The  islands  observed  just  above 
Bath  Island,  are  Sloop  and  Brig  i:ilands.  A  foot 
bridge  is  usually  extended  to  them,and  they  are  a 
favorite  resort  of  visitors  in  the  warm  afternoons 
of  summer.    The  shade  of  the  trees,  the  coramo- 


iii 


ti 

th 
pr 

•br 
of 
Jr 

vis 

cu 

str 

oui 

I 

mu 

cat 

tho 

per 

cro 

isla 

mai 

I)la] 

stre 

bye 

succ 

of  s 


^J^'^^    OF  Niagara. 

lh\lh  Island. 


45 


tion  of  the  surrounding  water  and  the  cool  breeze 
that   agitates  the   air,    make   them,  for    social 
parties,  a  delightful  retreat  for  an  hour  or   two. 
Having  passed,  with   much  admiration,   the 
•  bridge  which  spans  the  beautiful  and  rapid  piece 
of  water  which  courses  along  between  Bath  and 
Iris  Islands,  they  arrive  upon  the  latter   island. 
Before  the  bridge  was  built,  Iris   Island   was 
visited  by  boats,  running  down  between  the  two 
currents,  to  the  upper  point  of  the   island.     To 
strangers,  tlie  navigation  appeared  very  hazard- 
ous,  and  it  was  not  without  danger. 

In  the  severe  winter  of  1820^he   great  accu- 
mulation  of  ice  in  the  river,  formed  a  communi- 
cation from  the  main  shore  to  the  island  ;  and, 
though  the  bridges   were  then  built,   yet  many 
persons,  for  a  curiosity  and  a  ramble,   prefured 
crossing  over  the  ice.     In  that   winter,  all   the 
islands  were   accessible,   and   were   visited    by 
many   persons  ;    and   the  American    flag   was 
])lanted  on  a  ledge  of  rocks  in  the  middle  of  the 
stream  above  Brig  Island.     There,  surrounded 
by  dashing  waves,  it  floated  gallantly  during  the 
succeeding  summer,  to  the  admiration  and  wonder 
of  strangers,  how  it  came  there. 


!i 


'ii 


40 


Guide    to    the 


Grove. 


Iris  Island. 

ms  Island  hod  often  been  visllod 
both  by  the  French  and  English, 
previous  to  the  Americans  com- 
ing in  possession.  The  initials 
of  names  have  been  found  on 
^^Mhe  trees  bearing  a  date  as  far  back  as 
'      174-2, 

On  ascending  the  hill  from  the  bridge, 
three  walks  aro  presented  ;  one  to  tho 
right,  leading  to  the  Biddlo  stair-case  and  to  the 
Horse  Shoe  Fall  ,*  the  one  in  front  goes  directly 
across  the  island  ;  and  the  one  to  the  left  passes 
near  the  edge  of  the  bank  to  the  upper  end. 

The  party  continue  liie  jaunt,  taking  the  road 
leading  to  the  Biddle  stair-case.  On  advancing 
a  siiort  distance,  they  enter  a  grove  of  lofty 
trees  through  which  the  walk  passes  for  some 
distance.  It  is  one  of  those  delightful  places  for 
which  nature  has  done  every  thing,  and  to  which 
arL   can  add  nothing.     The   load  that  passes 


Palls  op  Niagara. 


47 


IJO{;'ii  Uack. 


through  it  accomplishes  all  Ihat  ever  should  bo 
done,  and  the  sound  of  iho  axe  should  never  bo 
hoard  upon  tlioso  trees,  to  di^^turb  iho  stillness 
which  reigns  around  iho  spot,  or  to  profane 
vvhat  nnlure  seems  to  have  consecrated. 

As  the  road  nears  the  lower  end  of  tho  island, 
the  height  of  iho  bank  from  the  edge  of  the 
water  inci-eases  ;  from  wliicli  circumstance,  it 
appears,  this  part  of  tho  island  hns  received  the 
name  of  iho  IJog  's  Dack.  Tlie  name  is  consid- 
cied  very  inapplicable;  but,  as  some  travellers 
have  spoken  of  the  flog's  Back,  as  being  some- 
thing  peculiar,  it  has  boo-  'ha  ght  proper  thus 
succinctly  to  refer  to  it. 

At  tho  northwest  corner  of  tho  isknd  there  is 
a  fine  prospect  of  the  river,  of  Canada  and  oi 
the  American  Fails,  suitably  so  termed,  as  they 
are  entirely  wiihin  the  United  States.  The 
actual  boundary  is  in  the  center  of  tho  rivi  r, 
between  Iris  island  and  Canada  and  mu^t  be 
about  the  middle  of  the  Horse  Shoe  Falls.  By 
some  means  or  other,  the  public  have  been  led 
into  a  mistake  on  this  subject  and  it  has  been  by 
many  supposed  that  the  principal   Falls  were  iq 


1 

^ 


48 


Guide     to    the 


Ingraham's  Cave. 


Canada.  Some  have  even  spoken  of  **  the 
Niagara  Falls,  in  Canada."  The  truth  is  a 
portion  of  the  Falls  is  exclusively  in  the  State 
of  New  York  and  also  half  of  the  main  channel, 
as  it  constitutes  the  boundary  line. 


Ingraham's    Cave. 

•'  The  weeping  rocks  distil  with  constant  dews  ; 
The  gushing  watcra  pensive  thoughts  infuse. 
Here  a  vast  arch,  the  cavity  so  wide, 
Scarce  can  the  eye  extend  from  side  to  side. 
High  o'er  the  roof  alternate  echoes  wave, 
And  sound  in  distant  thunders  through  the  cave." 


HIS  cave    was   first  discovered 
by  Joseph  W.  Ingraham,  Esq. 
who  gave  it  the   name  of  the 
Cave  of   the    Winds;    ont    as 
applicable  as  any  that   can   be 
used  ;  yet  the  public   desirous   to  award 
some  meed  of  their  esteem  to  the  amiable 
discoverer,    have,    in    many    instances, 
evinced  a  desire  to  use  his  name,  and  call 
it  Ingraham's   Cave.     It  was  first  entered   by 


Falls    op    Niagara. 


49 


Ingraliam's  Cave. 


Mr^  George  Sims,  and  Mr.  Berry  1^11^^, 
of  Niogra  Falls  village.     They  passed  over,  the 
rocks,  and  through  a  part  of  the  sheet  of  water 
It  was,  they  alleged,  difficult  and  hazardous,  bui 
they  acknowledged   themselves   fully  rewarded 
ni  the  new  and   magnificent   sceno   which    the 
lolty^  cavern   presented.     Mr.'  Ingraham,   soon 
afterwards  visited    it  himself,  and    Horatio  A 
Parsons,  and  few  others,   have  since    ventured 
in.     it  IS  represented  to  bo   near  ono    hundred 
and    twenty  feet  wido,  about    thirty  feet    deep 
and  a  noblo    arch   hanging  over    head    eighty 
^oet  high  and  the  sheet  of  water  roll/ng  in  fn)nt 
This  cave  has  been  heretofore    inaccessible 
except  by  a  perilous  adventure  in  a  boat    from' 
the  ferry,  and  landing  on  the  rocks  between  the 
Central  and  American  Falls,  and   entering    the 
cave  on  iho  opposite  side,    until    the   spring  of 
1842,  when  the   proprietors   of  the    island,    at 
considerable  expense,excavatedthe  rocks,erected 
steps,  and  contracted  the  stream  above  in  such  a 
manner  that  this  cave  can  now  with  ease   and 
safety  be  visited  by  those  who  have  the  curiosity 
of  seeing  all   that   may   be  seen,    by   getting 
thoroughly  drenched  by  the  falling  spray. 


50 


Guide   to    the 


Great  Number  of  Ec.'s. 


One  great  curiosity  of  the  Cavo  of  the  Winds, 
is  the  innumerable  quantity  of  ee^s  that  may 
be  seen  upon  first  entering,  piled  in  heaps, 
basking  in  the  rushing  spray,  but  immediately 
disappear  in  the  rapids  upon  rny  disturbance. — 
Specimens  of  these  eels  may  be  seen  at  the  Old 
Curiosity  Shop,  preserved  in  spiritvS. 


t^^ 


■-^■^     ^^f^^ 


-^-i^__l^_  ^  I  A  G  A  R  A  . 

Prospect  Lslnnd.~ 


51 


Prospect    Island. 

**  VVhcre  leaps 
The  torrent  in  it3  wihj  career, 
While  sliake  its  I  arriera,  as  in  fear." 

r^o^^'i  the   point   of  Iris  Island, 
1  renting  the  American   FalJs, 
descends  a  path    towards  Pros' 
^     pect  island,  somctiLiCs    called 
Mrs.  Davidson's  isla     .  s  while 
she  was  visiting  the  Falls,  a  foot  bridge 
was  thrown  over  to  it,  and  on  its  extreme 
point  she   planted  a   few   seeds   of  the 
^  Lathyrus  Latifolius  or  everlasting  pea, 

wmch  were  observed  some  years   afterward!  in 
b.oom  wnh  their  beautiful  little  Oowers  hargln^ 

Winds  The  bridge  to  this  island  is  generally 
earned  away  in  the  winter  and  replaced  again 
in  the  summer.  It  is  worth  crossing  over,  to 
ramble  through  the  tangled  evergreens,  to  look 

own  the  high  bank  and  enjo;  the  prospect 
which  13  there  displayed. 


52 


Guide    to    th 


E 


The  Biddie  Stair-case 


The    Biddle    Stair -Case. 

HE  party,  after  thoir  progress 
to  Prospect  Island,  retrace  their 
steps,  and  continue  their  route 
«,^  ^5.^,^^  to  the  Biddle  Stair-case.  This 
l\  convenience  for  descending  the  bank,  was 
erected  at  the  expense  of  Nicholas  Biddle, 
Esq.  But  has  now  become  insecure  and 
^^  needs  rebuilding.  It  was  a  great  desidera- 
tum to  travellers,  to  be  enabled  to  reach  this 
part  of  the  island,  to  range  along  over  the  rocks, 
and  to  advance  nenr  the  sheet  of  water.  The 
stairs  are  of  the  spiral  form,  well  secured  from 
tho  weather,  and  about  eighty  feet  high.  Near 
the  foot  of  those  stairs,  at  the  edgj  of  the  water 
Sam.  Patch,  in  1829,  made  two  leaps  from  a 
platform  ninety-seven  feet  high  erected  for  the 
purpose,  He  came  off  with  credit  here  ;  but 
ahortly  after  the  poor  fellow  made  two  leaps  at 
Rochester — one  from  the  height  of  one  hundred 


Falls    op  Niagara. 


53 


The  Biddle  t«lair-case. 


riLnH  "   P™''''   fatal;  he  did   .'o, 

rise  and  was  never  found. 

After  the  travellers  have  proceeded  below 
and  gone  as  near  the  sheets  of  ,vatcr  on  each 
..de  as  they  desired,  and  had  pointed  out  to  then. 

an  the  ojeets  of  interest,  they  return  and  resume 
Jhe.r  walk  along  the  brow  of  the  bank. 


54 


Gv  IDB    TO     THE 


The  Horse  bhi«  I- nils. 


The    Horse  Shoe   Falli. 

**  Thou  fearful  sireain  ! 
Bow  do  thy  lerrnn  tear  nic  from  iiiysclf, 
And  fill  my  sou!  wiilt  wonder  ?" 


MIS  subllmo  prospec*  opens  to 

view    siidieniy     beivvern    the 

trees.    The  rainbow  seen  below 

encompassing  a  cloud  of  spray, 

is  as  beautiful,   with  all  its  mel- 

low  lints  of  coloring,  us  the  same  object 

appears  after  a  summer's  shower. 

There  is  a  striking  singularity  'n  the 
varied  appearance  of  the  Horse  Shoe 
Falls.  They  present  three  peculiar  and  distin ct 
aspects  as  to  their  form. 

To  the  beholder  from  one  position  their  form 
is  that  of  the  horse  shoe,  from  which  they  derive 
their  name.  From  another  position,  the  same 
Fall  has  a  triangular  formation;  and  from  a  third 
position,  they  preseut  three  sides  of  a  hollow 


' Moonlight  Srone.~~       ~ 

inslinctively  fee      hi"?'-'  '""■"•     ^ho  miud 
^  'eel.  the  sentiment  of  the  poet. 

whispers  and  theti '  7   ''  ""'"'^'^'^  '"   '»- 

and  unwonted  i:  i^nr  t;™''''^'  '"  ""' 
'he  lovely  „oon  oou  st.  1  ?™="  ^""^■ 

cataract,  .he  sombre  wo',r   ho  d        ''"'"'   ""^ 
gulf,  the  water  all  rZV  ^P  mysterious 

«he  «i„d      kI  "''.°°""^'"«  powerfully  ,o  affect 

n">th  prtaiS  a  :r:;^^   -  ^°'-— 

^'^^-hodeepa„diX;rofVS; 


gl 


Guide    *ro    run 


Depth  of  Wniet. 


That  this  is  not  an  imaginary  picture,  e\try 
one  who  has  witnessed  the  scone  will  allow. 

In  the  center  of  the  Horse  Shoe  Fulls,  ihe 
water  is  of  a  pure  green  color,  and  is  rtijudged 
to  l>o  about  twenty  feet  d.ep. 


^'  A  L  I.  »     0  9     N  I  A 

Proupcci  Tower. 


O  A  ft  A  . 


m 


— —  •- »^ ' 


P*08|*KCt     ToWKft. 


y 


"IS  is  a  circular  building,  wiii, 
nn  observatory  on  iho  top,  built 
below  the  point  of  the  inland, 
among  the  Terrapin  rocks.— 
f«om   the   observatory  is  pro- 

^   'he  falls  ,,nd  into  tho  groa.  chnsm  below. 

driven." 

«ro.n<     arc  the  romuin,  of  a  bridge   bail,   ly 
.h^K     I    y'  "  P"'  °''  '^'''«''  projected  ovo. 

"'    ''"  ''"''««   'hat   it   was  u.ual   for  Franci, 

Abbot  to  walk,  and  at  the  extrem,  end  t«   to« 
•a  his  heel  and  walk  back. 


58 


Guide    TO    thk 


T<rrapin  Uridgf. 


Tho  Terrapin  Bridge  should  be  rebuilt.  It 
afforded  an  unequalled  prospect  into  the  whilo 
and,  misty  chasm.  And  to  spectators  at  a  dis- 
tance, the  light  bridge  hanging  over  the  clouds 
and  rainbow  below,  the  moving  forms  upon  it, 
surroundedby  the  nickering  spray,  now  seen» 
and  anon  hid  from  view,  gave  to  the  scene  an 
impressive  interest  deeply  felt  by  every  sonsi- 
Uve  mind. 


Falls   o  f^N  i  a  g  a  n  a  .         59 

AloM  IslaiKl. 


Moss    Island. 

"  Tn  hcatitifiil  vviMnoss  it  uhirlsaway. 
VVasliii-  ii3  wcaltli  iii  feailicry  «pray.'» 

walk  round  the  Island  passes 
ear  to  ifio  beautiful   sircnm  of 
u-ater  which  runs  on  the  north 
side    of    Moss    Island.      This 
stream  is   overhung    and    en- 
shrouded  with  trees  and  evergreen  shrubs 
whose  leaves  dip  in  the  silvered   water  as 
It  glides  along.     In  its  course,  there  is  a 
most  lovely  waterfall,  in  miniature,  and 
which  trancis  Abbott  the  hermit   of   the    Falls 
used  as  hi.  shower  bath.     The  adjacent   spot  is 
ca  led  Moss  Island,  on  account  of  the  mossy  and 
velvet  like  appearance  of  its  surface.     On    this 
Island,  Abbott  wished  to  build  a    rustic   cottage. 
As  he  described  it,  it  was  to  be  of  rough   maL 
rials,  with  latticed  windows,   and  to  be  covered 
With  moss  and   evergreen  creeping  vines.     To 
the  Island  he  proposed  to  have  a  bridge,  in  unsion 


eo 


Guide    to  thb 


i»i 


gin     I  in'i  1 


m 


The  Hermitage- 


with  tho  cottago  with  n  draw  attached  to  it,  that, 
when  he  desired  to  be  alone,  he  might  bo  secure 
from  all  intrusion,  and  he  himself  the  master  of 
a  small  and  solitary  domain. 

'•Recluse  and  hid  from  every  .ye. 
Save  that  ot  smiling  heaven." 

Such  additions  would  have  been  quite  an  at- 
traction, and  tho  hermit  himself,  a  great  curi- 
osity. He  appears  to  have  been  just  the  kind 
of  man  required  to  animate  these  wild  romantic 
scones.  On  the  subject  he  observed  :  **  On 
some  of  the  great  estates  in  England,  where 
the  proprietors  seek  to  give  a  romantic  interest 
to  their  possessions,  a  foi-est  or  some  retired 
glen  is  chosen,  where  a  hermitage  is  erected, 
and  a  man  hired  to  play  the  hermit.  When 
the  owner  passes  over  his  estate  with  his  friends, 
the  hermit,  with  his  flowing  beard  and  dressed 
in  antique  costume,  receive  them  at  the  hermit- 
age." He  .70uld  conclude  by  saying — "  I  desire 
to  live  alone  ;  I  voluntarily  wish  to  retire  from 
the  world.     It  suits  me  not  to  mingle  with  man* 

kind." 

The  Islands  lying  beyond  Moss  Island,are  not 
accessible,  excepting  in  some  severe  wintersi 


Palls  or  Niagara, 


61 


GuH  i«[and. 


when  the  ice  and  snow  ure  driven  around  them, 
and  dam  the  water  oiT ;  aisiich  times  they  havo 
been  visited  by  a  few  persons.  The  little  Islnn.1 
which  lies  between  this  and  the  Canada  shore, 
and  which  just  rises  above  the  water,  is  called 
Gull  Island,  from  t!  c  circumstance  of  its  bein^ 
ihe  resort  of  great  numbers  of  birds  of  that 
species.  There  they  live  xvve  and  unmolested 
by  man. 

Having  arrived   at    lU?.   heu^    of  the  Island, 
where  an  unobstructed  prooj)cct  of  tho   river    is 
presented,    several    objects  aro    elir-itpd   by  ths 
inquiries  of  travellers.    They  ore  comprised  ia 
the  notices  which  follow, 


«*    -•^;2F^,^^'f^^<i<r>vs^  ^J 


/r^s. 


62 


UIDE     TO     THE 


iNavy  Island. 


Navy  Island. 

"There  is  a  plonsmi!  i;i  t!io  paJlilosg  woods, 
There  is  a  inpiuio  oii  Ji<-  lonlcy  s-Iioio, 
There  is  society,  uli.:-  uir.w  ii. tunics. 
Uy  the  dc('{)  wavi-.  .nui  iii  i-ic  in  its  ro;ir. 
1  love  not  man  tin;  Ic.-.s,  l,ul  iialurc  mure." 


Falls    or    Niagara. 


6S 


Nnvy  Island. 


own  choice,  left  it   and  not  in  fear  of  their  op- 
ponents.    Opposite  to  them,  were  five  thousand 
men,  consisting  of  British  regulars  incorporated 
militia,  and  a  body  of  Negroes   and  Indians. — 
Batteries  were  erected  and  shells  were   r  ■  inter- 
vals cast  upon  the  Island.    The    islanders  were 
incessantly  in  a  state  of  danger  and  alarm  ;  yet 
they  would,  at  times,    provokingly   return  tho 
fire.     For  a  month,  a  raw,  undisciplined  band  of 
men,  in  the  severity  of  winter,  with  no  shelter 
but  such  as  they  then  constructed,  and  miserabl  v 
clad  set  at   defiance  and   laughed  at  the   over- 
whelming force,  which  lay  so  near  to  them,  that 
they  frequently  conversed  together.     Let  justice 
be  done  to  them,  and,  however  by  contending 
parties  they  may  be  differently  esteemed,   their 
must  be  awarded  to  them  the  praise  of  being  as 
enduring  and  as  brave  a  set  of  fellows  as  ever 
assembled  together.     They  left  the  Island  be- 
cause  the  United  States  would  not  countenance 
them,  and    in  accordance  with    the   wishes  of 
American  citizens,  who  interposed  to  eflect  their 
dispersion.     An  expression  of  one  of  the  leaders, 
before  leaving,  was-.''  I  fear  not  my  cncmic* 
but  my  friends,** 


m 


i 


H^l 


64 


M 


Ui 


Gl'idiI    to   the 


The  Steamboat  Caroline. 


There  is  an  occurrence  coiinected    with  iha 
Navy  Island  affair  painful  to  relate. 

The  steamboat  Caroline  came  from  BulTald 
on  the  29th  of  December,  it  is  said  to  play  as  a 
ferry-boat  between  Schlosser  and  Navy  Island. 
It  passed,  that  day,  forth  and  back  several  times, 
and  boibre  sun-down  was  brouglit  to  at  the  wharf, 
at  Schlosser,  and  moored  for  the  night.  At  that 
place  there  was  hut  one  house,  and  that  a  tavern* 
The  warlike  movements  between  the  patriots 
and  British,  h.-.d  drawn  to  the  frontier,  through 
motives  of  curiosity,  a  gro;U  number  of  persons. 
The  tavern  was  crowded — lodgings  could  not  hi 
oblained — and  several,  observing  the  steamboat, 
sougiit  for  accommodations  on  board  and  were 
received.  In  th.e  middle  of  the  night,  the  watch 
(for  a  watch  on  board  steamboats  is  usually 
kept,)  saw  something  advancing  on  the  water. — 
Ih)  hailed,  but  before  he  could  give  the  alarm,  a 
body  of  armed  men  rushed  on  board,  shot  at  (ho 
eentinel  and  all  they  met,  crying— "Cut  them 
down  !  Give  no  quarters  !"  No  arms  were  on 
board  ;  no  attack  was  expected  ;  and  no  resis- 
tance was  made.  Some  got  on  shore  uninjured; 
plhors    were    severely    cut    and    dangerouslj 


p. 

E 


CI 


w 
ai 
aj 

it 
file 
th( 
sic 
al 
ex 
cai 
sue 
Ihi 

r 
Stil 

wic 

anc 

disE 

rerr 

cur 

1 

trav 

the 

nav 

and 


Palls  of   Niagara. 


67 


'I  le  He;icf)ii    Lifjlit. 


wounded.     O„e'^;;;;;^^;7rhot  dead  onlhllwl^rf, 
ond  twelve  were  missing,  either  killed  or  burn 
and  sunk  with  the  boat. 

They  to-.vcd  the  boat  out  in  the  river  and  sot 
It  on  .,re  j  the  names  burst  forth  ;  it  drifted 
slowly,  and  its  blnzo  .s^ionc  far  and  wide  over 
the  water  and  adjacent  shores.  On  the  Canada 
s'de,  at  a  distance  above  Chippewa,  was  burning 
a  Intgo  hght,  as  a  signal  to  those  engaged  in  tb! 
cxpeduton.  ]n  a  short  time  an  astounding  shout 
came  booming  over  the  water  ;  it    was   for   the 

The  beacon  was  e.xtinguished.  The  Caroline 
st.ll  moved  on,  and  cast  its  lurid  light  far  and 
wide,  clolhmg  the  scene  in  gloom  and  horror 
and  just  below  the  point  of  Iris  Island,  suddenlv 
disappeared.  Many  of  the  wrecked  and  charred 
remains  were,  the  next  morning,  floating  in  the 
current  and  eddies  below  the  Falls. 

The  next  object  to  which  the  attention  of  the 

ravcUer  is  directed,  is  Porter's  Storehouse,  or 

the  steatnboat  landing.     It  is  the  end  of  ship 

navigation,  on  the  American  side  of  the  Niagara 

mi  IS  the  proposed  point  for  the  commencement 


«s 


Guide 


TO     THE 


% 


Fort  Schlosaer. 


of  tho  great  ship  canut  around  the  Falls  j  a 
work  which  the  extensive  and  populous  coun\rie*s 
on  iho  upper  lakes  are  requiring,  and  will  urge 
forward  isntil  accomplished. 

At,  this  place,  the  persons  going  on  the  Navy 
inland  expcdiiipn  embarked  ;  and  il  w;;s  thare 
thai  lh3  ste-xmboat  Caroline  lay  when  sh'j  was 
cut  out. 

Nearly  a  mile  below  the  landing  are  the 
remains  of  oI'J  Fort  Bchlossor.  The  name  is 
derived  ffosn  the  Geniiart,  and  means  castle.  It 
was  anciently  a  stockade,  built  upon  banks 
slightly  raised  above  the  plain.  From  the  re- 
mains,it  appears  that  there  were  two  fortifications 
conticruous  to  each  other  and  of  similar  construe- 

o 

tlon.  In  a  historical  memorandum  and  map, 
in  1775,  before  the  country  was  subdued  by  the 
British,  it  is  marked  *'  Store  House''  only. — 
The  site  is  now  a  cultivated  field  and  the  grounds 
have  been  frequently  ploughed  over. 

Tlje  party  move  on  and  pass  the  house  where 
Francis  Abbott  for  somo  time  resided,  and  etop 
at  a  plnco  where  the  earth  has  been  excavated. 
Here,  several  human  skeletons  hav«  beer  dug 
wp.     How  they  came  thfero  is  not  knowii. 


a 


garden;   wherein   iho   season   of  flowers' and 
li-aifs,  boqucts  and  fruits  are  kept  lor  sale. 

From  every  part  of  the  upper  end  of  the  Island, 
a  nno  yiew  is  prcscnlod  of  the  Villa.cn  of  Niagara 
i^alls,  and  the  intervening  rapids. 
^   Gon.   ^Viijiney's  place  is  seen  advantageously 
from  the  island.     He  was  among  iho  (irst  inliab- 
itants  and  lias  proved  liimsolf  a  pioneer  worthy 
of  all  praise.     Enterprising  in  the  most  eminent 
degree,  doing  at  all  times  all   that   industry  and 
his  means  could  aObrd  in  making  improvem'-nts 
around  the  Falls  and  on  his  own    premises,   for 
tiie  accomodation  of  visitors—first  putting  ladders 
(iowa  the  banks,  and  then  a  stair-case  ;  establish- 
ing  a  ferry  and  building  bridges,  platforms  and 
many  other  conveniences. 

The  travellers  return  to  the  bridge  and  back 
to  their  hotel. 


A   JAUNT 


t  i 


i'l 


TO    THE 

WHIRLPOOL,  FORT  NIAGARA 

AND 

DEVIL'S  MOLE. 


much 


The  AV  h  I  r  p  o  o  l  . 

"  Ah  !  trnilily  tliry  rage! 
Tlio  liofirs-e  and  inpid  wliirlj)0(jl\-.  thne  !    IMy  Lrcin 
Grows  wild-iiiy  i-eiiscs  vvfiiKier,  ats  I  gazvj 
Upon  ilio  Iiuuyiiig  WtUer." 


F    the    Falls    of    Ningara    did 
iK)t  cxibt,  the   WJiij-lpool    would 
lie  the  most  dibiiuguishcd    curi- 
osity allbrdcd    by  the    Niagara 
river  ;  and,  in  ilic  estiniatioii  of 
many,  greater  than  any  ol"  pre^cni  notor- 
iety in  our  country.    Every  one  brought 
up  in  or  near  the   city   of  New   York, 
must  be  familiar  with  llie  far  famed  and 
dreaded  strait  called  Hurl-Gate,   formerly 


dread  of  the  '  I'l't       """/'nations,   „nd  the 

p„f  -^        °  mature   observation 

But  pass  once  from  the  East  River  to  X  "'rd 
nnd  rushing  whirpool  of  Niaearn    IJl 
aginary  terrors  o^  Ourl-GaZ  ,'  ^   at?' 
on  your  return  the  strait  will  appear   10^0 
onb^seo.yt.tedas,WthasiL:/,;rr'- 
i^ven    the    great    fliaelstrom    ;vhirl,,ooI    ,c 

Norway,   is  not   n,oro  dangerous   thX    ,    ' 
Niagara;  none  have  passed  the  vortex  of  lii 
or  fathomed  their  depths.  ° '°"^^  °f  «'"•='•- 

wir,:t:p:rei' :,fr '=""  ^^'''■^'''-' "-'^ 

and  pori,  wTh "  I'otZf  T  °'  '^"^^'■ 
di-sk  of  thoMaolstronV  ;  wttr?'''',^ 
;j  ^oat  on  the  Niagara:and'a,trpt  ::.::•: 

I«    o  do,„g,  thoy  will  truly  peril  their  lL„nd 
leel  sensations  of  terror  tr>  tL;    i,  ' 

or  the  waves  of  Niag  °1  vi  ^'^ f''  ""''"'  ' 

Hawng  arrived  at  the  Lodge,  the  charge  for 


i 


|{  ! 


72 


Guide    to    the 


Reniarka  of  Travclki 


entering  the  gron;»rJc;  T^Oiity-five  cerita  is  paid 
at  the  gate.  Before  coming  in  sight  of  the 
river,  the  road  enters  a  bowery  of  forest  trees, 
the  close  and  luxuriant  foliage  of  whicli  forms  a 
cool  and  sombrous  shade  very  rcir exiling  in  the 
prevailing  heats  of  summer. 

After  having  arrived  at  liic  bank  of  the  river, 
the  party  contemplate  the  prospect  fjr  some 
time  with  much  satisfaction,  and  make  many 
inquiries  ;  and  after  turning  to  the  guide  or 
person  present,  inquire,  '•'  What  course  docs  the 
river  take  from  this  f 

The  Guide  leads  the  way,  saying,  "  we  will 
advance  a  short  distance.     Now  look  below." 

Traveller.—*'  Saint  Mary  !  what  a  scene  is 
this  I" 

One  of  the  ladies. — "  How  beautiful  and  clear 
and  yet  how  powerful  and  r  id  !  With  what 
commotion  it  bounds  away  !  Is  this  a  branch  of 
the  Niagara  V 

Guide. — "  Still  move  a  few  steps  closer  to 
the  bank,  and  you  will  perceive  that  the  stream 
below  i3  truly  the  Niaga:  -  sudden  turn,  the 
contraction  of  the  chan»  3  high   ar     ap- 

proaching banks,  and  the  dark  and  swelling  n  ater 


• 


AILS    OP   Niagara 

Bcinarks  of  Travellers. 


78 


of  Ihe  outlol,  strikes  every  ono  ^:hhl^i;;;ii;^, 
ot  adrniialion." 

Tiavelloi-.-"  Taslolcssto  tho  marvellous  and 
surprising  beauties  of  nature  must  ho  be  who 
beholds  tlieso  her  noble  works,  without  emotion." 

"  Xntuie  Iicre 
VVanlons  in  her  prime  and  plays  at  will 
Hor  virgin  f.incica. 

As  nearly  all    tho  travellers,  that  visit   the 
Whirlpool,  descend  the  bank,  and  consider  them- 

solves  well  paid  for  the  trouble,    tho   party  con- 
chide  to  go  down. 

Tliofuido  loads  the  way  and  with  some  labor 

andt      .  1011,  though  not  more   than  is   healthy 

r     rciso,  they  descend.     He   conducts   them  to 

"°    '      ^otl    Rock,   against   which   dashes  the 

powcriu.  ai      resistless  current. 

"  Hore,"  ho  observes,  "  a  young  man,  by  the 
nameof  .ramuel  VVhitmor  of  this  township  Mi-ew 
a  stone  tliat  struck  the  Oanada  shore." 

Several  of  the  p.-wty  ing  disposed  to  try  there 
skill  make  the  attempt  Whether  they  succeed 
or  not,  has  not  been  repoi;cd. 

Traveller.  -"U  mo  improvements  were  made, 
o-  which  ti.e  place  k  ^usceptible,    *  would  make 


T4 


Guide    to    thb 


u 


M. 


H  If 


: 


Remark*  • 


a  beautiful  country  retreat.     The  grounds  west 
•f  the  road,  1  would   -nclose  as   a   park  ;  the 
forest  part  should  bo  cleared  of  the  undergrowth 
leaving  here  and  there,  dense  as  it  now  is,  a 
clump  of  indigenous  shrubs  and  plants,  impervi- 
ous   as  nature  has  roared  them.      The  whole 
should  be  intersected    with  roads  and    walks  : 
steps  also,  to  descend  the  bank  ;  a  bathing   and 
fishing  house;  a  life-boat  on    the   river;  and  a 
suspension  bridge   from   bank  to   bank.     The 
water  power  should  oe  brought  into  use,  in  carry- 
ing on  mills  and  manufactories  ;  and  my  cottage 
should  be  in  the  midst  of  the  active   and  rural 

scenCa 

Guide ■'*  To  which  could  bo  added  a  view  of 

the  Falls  at  a  distance,  if  the  woods  on  yon 
point  of  land  at  the  south,  in  Canada,  are  cut 
down.  This  place  was  one  of  the  favorite  pur- 
chases of  Rathbun,  and  on  which  ho  very  justly 
placed  a  high  value.  It  was  he  who  erected  the 
summer-house,  and  it  was  his  design  to  carry 
into  effect  many  of  tiie  improvements,  which 
you  have  mentioned. 


^^ATTLE   OP   THE    DevIL^S    II  O  L  E  . 

"Once  tin.  Rort  turf,  tho  riVlot's  sands. 
W  ore  tramplod  l.y  a  hurrying  crowd  : 
And  nory  hearts,  and  armed  hand-, 
Iwicoumcrcvl  in  the  battif  cloud." 

milo  fromtlio    Whirlpool,    the 
road  runs  within  a  few    feci  of 
tho  river's  bank,  where  a  deep 
and  gloomy  chasm  is    rent  or 
worn  out  of  the  rock.     Tin's  is 
called  the  Devil's   Hole,  and   tho  small 
stream  uhlch  crosses  the  road    aid  falls 
in  the  chasm,  is  the  Bloody  Run. 

In  1T59,  while  tho  war  was  yet  raging 
between  England  and  France,  a  detach- 
ment  of   one    hundred    British   regulars   were 
conveying  a  largo   supply    of  provisions,    beef 
cattle,  and  munitions  of  war,  to  Fort  Schlosser 
Indians  were  employed  by  both  parties.     Those 
in  the  interest  of  the  French,  had  been  for  some 
days  hovering  about  the  British  camp,  and  when 
the  convoy  set  out,  they  were  on   tho  alert.     A  t 


•  i: 


li 


n 


ni 


w 


?i     "'it'    ' 

iitiliul 


76 


Guide  to    the 


Devil's  Hole. 


this  place,  they  formed   their   ambuscade,    and 
never  was  there  a  spot  more  favorable  for  such 
a  manceuvre.     On  the  right  of  llic  advancing 
party  was  the  high  har.k  of  tlie    Ningara  river, 
and  on  the  left  the  lidge,  rmd  at  cnch  extremity 
two  small  hills.     The  parly,    unsuspecting  any 
attack,  moved  forward  on  the  road  ;   when   the 
Trent  of  the  detnchm.cnt  reached  the  end  of  the 
ravine,    the  Indian  fu^ccs    were"  opened   upon 
them  with  deadly  aim  ;  then  followed  the  dread 
war-whoop,  as  if  a  thousand  wolves  were  howl- 
ing and  yelling  around  them.  Indeed, iheir  assail- 
ants Vv'cre  more  fierce  and  ferocious  than  tlie  wild 
beasts  of  the  forest, 

«•  ra'c  terror  irinrch'd  i\m\d  inc  yicluin,'!  Innd, 
CliillM  every  litait,  uiuicivc'd  c.'ieli  iron  hand." 

'  Many  of  llic  soldiers  were  killed  at""  the  first 
fiischargc,  and  the  others  were  thrown  into 
hopeless  confusion.  Tlie  Indir,ns  fell  like  tigers 
upon  the  drivers,  tcmahiiwked  tlicm  in  their 
seats,and  threw  them  under  foot.  The  waggons 
were  backed  off  the  precipice,  and  men  and 
cattle  fell  with  the  loading  in  one  dismembered 
end  mutilated    mass.     Seme    threw   themselves 


I 


Falls    o  p  N  i  a  o  a 


n  A, 


77 


The  nattllc 


from  the  bank,  and  icll  mangled  and    dying  on 
the  rocks  ;  others  lodged  in  the  brniiches  of  the 
trees,  where  they  remained,    disabled,   until  the 
affray   was   over,  when    the   savages    at    their 
leisure    despatched    tlicm.     T};0   horror    of  the 
scene  can  be  but  faintly  imagined.     Tiio   quick 
report  of  the  fusees,  the  yells  of  the  Indians,  the 
bellowing   of    the   cattle,    the    shrieks    of    the 
wounded  and  dying,  mingled   with  the  monoton- 
ous roar  of  the  surges  of  the    Niagara,    which 
rose  Irom  below  as  in  mockery  of  tlic  folly,  the 
strife,  and  dying   groans  of  men. 


first 
into 


73 


Guide    to   the 


Villase  <f  Lc\vi3ton, 


Wm.     : 


The  Village  of  Lewiston. 

HE  scenery  presented  from  the 
top  of  the  mountain  overlook- 
ing Lewislon,  is  grand  r.nd 
picturesque  ;  before  you  and 
ic^   -  immediately  under   the   moun- 

'm\  tain,  lies  the  Villnge  of  Lewiston  ;  in 
Wv  the  distance  is  seen  the  deep  blue  waters  of 
Ontario  ;  on  the  right  are  Farm  Houses 
_  and  fertile  fields  ;  and  on  your  left  the 
broad  Niagara,  flowing  on  in  deep  and  solemn 
grandeur,  as  if  conscious  of  having  presented 
one  of  the  most  grand  and  magnificent  views 
on  which  mortal  eye  ever  rested.  Across  the 
river,  on  Quccnston  Heights  is  seen  towering  in 
ruins,  yet  in  mnjosty,  t'r.e  monument  erected  to 
the  memory  of  Lieutenant  Gen.  Brock. 

The  party  approach  Lewiston.  The  summer 
after  the  village  was  burnt,  the  prospect  all 
around  was  like  one  extensive  meadow.  Nearly 
all  the  fences  in  the  fields  had  been  destroyed 
,  V    our   own    troops   at   diflerent   times   while 


i 


Fall  s'  o  p  Niagara. 


79 


Viiiage  of  Lewiston. 


encamped   there,  or   passing   through  ;  but  at 
the  time  it  was  burnt  by  the  British,  the  destruc- 
tion  was  general  ;  nothing  was  left  that  would 
hurn  ;  and  the  life  of  no  creature    uas   spared 
that  could  be   destroyed.     Not   only  the   fields, 
but  the  yards  and  street  were  covered  with  high 
grass  and  the  prospect  was  lonely  and  melancholy 
in  the  extreme—not  a  living  creature  was  to  be 
seen.     A  spirit  of  wanton   cruelty  had   caused 
the  enemy  to  destroy   all   that   tlioy  could    not 
carry  away.     Liule   swarms  of    small  yellow 
butterflies,  flitting  about  above   the   tail   grass, 
marked  the   spot   where  the   carcass   of  some 
creature  lay,  where  it  had  boon  shot  down   or 
perished.     What  scene  can    be   more   gloomy, 
than  a  country  depopulated,  and  laid    waste   by 
the  ravages  of  war. 

Lewiston,  was  in  1805  named  after  Governor 
Lewis,  of  the  state  of  New- York  ;  it  was  burnt 
in  1313  ;  in  181.5  the  inhabitants  returned  and 
it  is  now  a  beautiful  and  flourishin  g  village. 


■■^^i 


so 


Guide     to    the 


tt  '-I 


Fort    Nin^ara. 


' 


Fort   Niagara. 

"  rioarsc  liarUcd  the  wolf;  tlic  vulture  screamed  afar: 
The  angel  Pity  shunned  the  walks  of  war." 


4         ^ 


Wi^' 


^ff^^ 


HIS  fortress  is   in   latitude   43 
dog.   14  sec.   N.     In   1GT9,  a 
small    spot    was    enclosed    by 
pallisades,  by  ^I.De  Salle,   an 
olTiccr  in  tlic  service  of  France* 
In  l7*2.j,  tliG  Fort  was   built.     In  1759  it 
lAA^  was  taken  by  the  Driti^sb,  under  Sir  VVil- 
'm     ^''^'^''    Jfjbnson.     The    capture   has   been 
^^  ascribed  to  treachery,  tbough    there  is  not 
known  to  l)0  any  Cvisting  authority  to  prove  tho 
charge.     In  1790,  it    was    surrendered   to   tho 
United  States.     On  tho  19th   December,  lSi:3, 
it  was  again  taken  by  the  Criiish,  by  surprise  ; 
and    in    -Alarch,     1815,    again   surrendered    to 
Iho     Americans.       I'his    old    fort  is   as    much 
noted    for    enormity    and  crime,    ns    for   any 
good  ever  derived  frcm  it  by  the   nation  in   oc- 
cupation.     While  in  tl.e  hands  of   the    French., 
there  is  no  doubl  of  its  having  been,  at   times. 


■..i*vv;* 


an 


? 


I^'  A  L  L  S     OF     N  I  A  G  A  U 


81 


Fort  Ningnra. 


used   a.  a   pnson  ;  ils  close   nnd   imprcg^;;^ 
dungeons,  where  light   was  not   admitted"  and 
where,  renninod  fjr   many  years   n/tcr.   clear 
traces  and  a  part  of  the    reruly  instrumcnls    for 
execution  or  for  murder.     Dming  the  Amcican 
^.evolution,  it  was  tl-,e  head-quarters  of  all  that 
was  barbarous,  unrelenting  and   cruel,     'i'hcre 
civilized  Europe  revelled  will,  savane  America- 
and  ladies  of  refinement  mingled  with  thcsocietv 
of  those  whose  only  distinction    was  to  wield 
the  blocdy  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife.    There 
the  squaws  of  the  /orest  were  raised  to  eminence 
and  the  most  unholy  unions  beiiveen    them  and 
oflroers  of  the  highest  raiik,   smiled  upon  and 
countenanced.     Thero  in  their  strong  hold  like  a 
nest  of  vultures,  securely,  for  seven  years,  thev 
sallied  lorth  and  preyed  upon  the  distant  seltlp- 
ments  -n  the  Mohawk  and  Susquehanna.    It  was 
thedepotof  their  plunder;  there   they   nlaned 
Iheir  forays,  and    there   they  returned"  to  feast 
until  th"  hour  of  action  came  again. 


pe 


f  f' 


'l-i 


I!  1 


.  (fiii-'-t;  1 


»fi.'^ 


lAUNT  TO  CANADA^ 


IN    THE    VICINITY    OF    THE    FALLS  J 


V  1  S  I  T     T  0 

TABLE   HOCK  &  BROCK'S   M  0  N  U  31  E  N  T, 

WITH     NOTICE     OF     THE 

SUSPENSION    BRIDGE. 


Canada . 

"  Princes  an  J  lads  inny  'Houris'i  or  mr  y  fade. 

A  br..at'i  can  niako  Ihrui,  ay  a  breath  !iaa  made, 
r>ut  a  b(jld  peasantry,  their  country's  pride, 
When  (inco  doslroyeJ,  can  never  be  supplied  '' 

HAT   portion  portion   of  Upper 
Canada,  desi floated  as  llic  pen- 
ll^P^^^I   insula  lying  botwccn  lake  On- 
tario and  El  ie  bounded  east  on 
tbo  Niagara  river,  and   cxtend- 
k\  ing  west  about  one  bundrcd  and  tifty  milo^, 
^^  is  one  of  tbe   finest    tracts   of  country  in 
North  America.     The  soil  is    fertile,    the 
climate  salubrious,  and  the  scenery  be  au- 


if 


i 


r. 


c. 

c  ! 


? 


the 


m 


m\ 


' 


~1-L^JL  °  ^    Niagara. 

Fmjiiossioi;;  of  Traveller?. 


85 


i"^<I-  besides  boing  bounded  on  thrco  sidcs^j 
nav.gablo  water  conirnunicalion,  Ihero  also  pas- 
sosoverunnnynno  .tro.ms  and  rivulets.-^ 
1  ho  .taje  of  improvcniont  i.  very  respectable  : 
inc  wnolo  tract  i3  only  quailed  by  Western 
^o^v\ork;,vhose  inhabiinnt.,  in  enterprise, 
rire  considerably  in  advance  of  those  of  Canada 
1 'ic    setllomenfs   on    the   vves'.crn   side  of  tho 

^iagaraUivcVool^pIaceduringand  immediate- 
iy  akoi-  tI)o  revolution.     On  tho  American  side 
except  at  three  points,  it  commenced  much  later- 
tind  largo  tracts  of  tho   native    forests  are  still 
remaining.     The  firsi  sotllors   to  this    part   of 
Canada,  were  H-orn  t!n  northern    and   svestcvn 
borders  ot  Pennsylvania  and  Nosy  York  ;  Dut- 
lors  rangers,  tho    followers    of  Sir  J.  Johnson 
and  others  who  preferred  tho  paternal   govern- 
n^ent  of  Groat  Oriiain  to  tho  republican  institu- 
tions  of  the  people.     The  proximity  of  tho  two 
countries,  the  same  language  and   similarity    of 
pursuits,  have  so  assimilated  tho  inhabitant.^  that 
a  stranger,  not  knowing  the  political  division,  in 
passing  from  one  to  tlio  other,  would  still   think 
himself  among  the  same  people. 


6 


i.>i 


m  1 


«l 


Guide    to    the 


fc5uf pension  Bridge. 


' 


Suspension  Bridge 


ins  work    was  commenced   in 
February  1848  by  Chas.  Ellct, 
Jr.,   of   Philadelphia  under    a 
contract  previously  entered  into 
with  *'  Tho  Niagara  Falls  In- 
lernaiional    Bridge    Company,"    of   iho 
State  of  N.  Y.  and  '^  The  Niagara  Falls 
Suspend!  a  Bridge  Company'^  of  Canada 
West  nn  constructing  a  Wire  Suspension 
B^^ge  acro^^s  the  Niagara  river,  one  and  a  halt^ 
milos  below  the  Falls. 

The  first  connection  between  the  two  shores 
was  by  flying  a  kite  across  the  gorge,  and  there- 
by spaning  the  river  with  a  small  string,  by 
which  a  cord  was  drawn  over,  and  with  that  a 
rore  and  so  on,  until  one  of  sufiicient  strength 
had  been  secured  to  each  bank,  to  draw  over  an 
iron  cable  of  36  strands  number  10  wire.  Two 
small  towers  of  25  feet  in  height  having  been 
erected,  one  on  each  bank  of  the  river,  the 
,;.o  oahlfi  before  mentioned  was  hauled  over 


«»/!  I 


FAhLa    Ot     xVlAOARA. 


_  Crosjlng  in  a  Basket. 


87 


the  cha..n,  ,l>e  cnMe  being  im  feot  irio";;^b"; 
and  8C 1  feat  span  between  the  toilers  •  nnH   „„ 

the  13th  of  March. '48,Mr.Enet,. he  CrL: 
crossed    .  a  car  suspended  from  the  c  ,,  ■     ^ 

and  a  Coot  b„dge  three  feot  in  wid.        ,,trucied. 
As  soon  as  th.s  frail  structure  was .       e  passable 
very  man,  persons  were  an.ious  to  pai  Tv 
wh,ch  was      ..mitted  by  their  paying  t wenty!five' 
cents  each        ,e  contractor.     When   this  "^f^t! 
way    was    p.operly    secured,    a  similar  plat, 
form  w^as   thrown  over  upon  other  cables  on  the 
opposHetower3-.he  bridge,  being  about   VZ 
feet  aparl-th,  basket  cable  in  the  ce^  re.         ^ 
Whue  this  second  platform  was  being  carried 

112: T,  '" "'^  "°"^   — d-o'ne  tha 
baffles  all  description  :  and   never  will   those 

who  w,,ess3d  it,  be  able  to  drive  it  from     he" 
recollection.     Ti,e  second  brid,o  ha^  been  ca 

ned  out  about  250  feet  over   U,e   banic   on   I 
American  Side,  and  about  150  feet  from  the  op! 

struck  t'vt'h"?"  "  '°™"'°  ''■""' '"«  ^«"'"  'v-' 
struck  it,  which  instantaneously  parted  the  un- 

fin.shed  structure  near  the  tower,  displacing  I 
cables,  and  for  the   instant  all  seelrf     ^ 


..i^n.   ^ 


rMAGE  EVALUAl'ION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/. 


<? 


1.0 


1.1 


1.25 


WUi. 

1.8 


M  1116 


6" 


Vl 


^a 


^;. 


^^  ;> 


-«^ 


Photograpliic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


4^ 


4^ 


<^ 


«* 


"V 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  H580 

(716)  872-4503 


'  A,^^ 


t<', 


f/ 


^^ 


r 


ss 


Guide   to   the 


Narrow  Kscapc. 


There  wero  six  moii  at  work  upon  tho   flooring 
of  tho  hridgo  when  the  tornado  struck   it— two 
of  which  made    their   way   towards    the   shore 
upon  broken  fragments  of  boards   in  an  unac- 
countable manner— tlio  structure  oscelaling  with 
fearful  velocity  60  foot  over    a   fearful   gulf  of 
230  feet  in  depth.     The  unfinished   briugo   was 
rent  asunder  in  four  places,    leaving  four   men 
upon  its  extremity,  200  feet  from  shore,  at   tho 
mercy  of  the  gale,  with  but  two  strands  of  No. 
10  wire  to  support  them  from  a  headlong  plungo 
of  230  feet  into  tho  rapids  beneath.     As  soon  as 
the  wind  subsided,  amid  pelting  torrents  of  rain, 
the  iron  basket  was  let  out,  with  ono  man,   tak- 
ing with  him  a   ladder,    ono   end   of  which   he 
placed  upon  tho  wreck,  tho  other  resting   upon 
the  basket,  thus  making  abridge  over  which  the 
men  ono   by  ono   passed,    until  they  were   all 
safely  seated  in  the  basket,   which    was   drawn 
ashore  and  the  adventurers   safely  landed  with- 
out tho  least  personal  injury. 

The  Bridge  under  Mr.  Ellet's  ;  supervision 
was  progressing  rapidly  to  completion,  so  that 
on  tho  26th,  of- July,  six  months  from  the  com- 
mencement,   tho  contractor  drove   two  horses 


F 


ALLS  OP   Niagara 


80 


oonng 
t— two 

shore 

unac- 
ng  with 
^ulf  of 
;o  was 
r   men 

tit  the 
of  No. 

plungo 
soon  as 
of  rain, 
n,  lak- 
iich  ho 
g  upon 
liich  the 
ero   all 

drawn 

d  witii- 

ervision 
so  that 
18  com- 
)  horses 


'J'cmporary    Uridco 


before  a  heavy  coach,  over  and  hack,  soon  after 
which  a  disagreement  took  place  between  the 
Contractor  and  the  Directors,  and  the  work  was 
discontinued. 

The  present  Bridge  was  erected    merely  as  a 
preliminary  scofTolding  for  the  construction  of 
the    main    bridge-the   bridge   contracted   for, 
was  to  bo  built  upon  stone   towers   70   feet    in 
J,eight~ten  feet  above  and  wholly  independent 
of   the  present  bridge,— the   present  structure 
bearing  the  same  relation  to  the  main   one   that 
the  kite  string  did  to  the  first  cable  ;  consequent- 
ly all  the  fixtures  were   of  such  a  character  as 
economy  would  suggest— sufficient  for  all   pur- 
poses  contemplated  as  a  preliminary  structure- 
not  required  to  stand  to  exceed  eighteen  months, 
when  the  present  cables  was  to  be   removed   to' 
the  main  structure  ;  it  has    the  present  season 
baen  materially  strengthened,  the  cables  having 
bsen    madj   m3ro    than   double    their    former 
capacity,  and  a  heavy  three   inch   floor  gives  a 
degree  of  stifiiiess  and  security  which  it  before 
wanted,  and  the  structure  is  now  a  thoroughfare 
perfectly  safe  for  ail  business  purposes,  and   is 
capable  of  sustaining  two  hundred  and  fifty  tons 


■?: 


90 


Guide    to   the 


The  Scenery. 


t« 


and  has  been  adopted  as  the  point   of  crossing 
for  the  line  of  stages  to  Detroit,  Sandwich,  &c. 

The  floor  or  roadway  of  the  bridge  is  elevated 
above  the  water  230  feet.  Depth  of  water  un- 
der the  bridge  250  feet. 

The  scenery  at  this  point  is  grand  beyond 
description,  the  Cataract  above  and  the  dashing 
Rapids  below  are  in  full  view  ;  at  the  foot  of 
the  carriage  way  is  the  Steamboat  landing,  per- 
fectly secure  and  safe  though  but  a  short  distance 
above  the  fearful  rapids. 


i-:i 


Falls    op   Niagara. 


91 


Dcaccndiug  tlic  JSluirs. 


View    From    the  Stairs, 

''  And  Inrk  !  t'ic  bugle's  racllovv  strain 

From  l:il]  lo  Iiiil  js  ringing  ; 
Anil  every  zrpliyr,  o'er  the  Vain, 

Tlic  joyfjl  note  is  bringing  ; 
Thocaglo  from  hi?  eyry  darts, 

To  hoar  tlit-  flying  numbers  ; 

And  echo,  in  her  grotto,  slaits, 
AvvakL'iicd  from  licr  slumbers." 

HE  party  of  travellers  are  at  th« 
lop  of  the  bank,  and  commence 
the  des-ont  of  the  long  flight  of 
stairs,  or  seat  themselves  in  the 
cars   to   descend  the  bank,  in 
|-.  order  to  cross  the  river.    They  stop  at  the 

footof  the  stairs  and  enjoy  a  fine  view    of 
IhG  Falls,  and  the  river  bslow.     The  view 
extends  about  two  miles,  where  the  waters 
again  break  into  billows,  and  white  with   foam 
seem  to  sink  into  some  subterraneous  cavern,  as' 
they  disappear  behind  tha  projecting  clias. 

Inquiry  is  often  made,  "  How  was  the   bank 
descended  before  the  stairs  were  built  i" 


£12 


G 


UIDE      TO     THE 


First  Tciiy. 


The  descent  was  m:idc  by  mennsofihe  Indian 
ladder,  hclf  a  mile  farther  down  the  river,  and 
here,  by  cling  to  the  rocks  nnd  shrubs.  Tho 
next  improvement  was  a  lidJor,  eighty  lect  long, 
placed  nearly  perpendicularly  against  the  bank; 
in  the  last  war,  it  was  thrown  down. 

The  stairs  that  descended  the  bank,  were  built 
by  Judge  Porter.  The  first  boat  put  on  the  I'ivcr 
at  this  place,  was  by  Gen.  Parkhurst  Whitnev. 
He  built  the  first  stairs  down  the  bank  and  estab- 
lished the  first  Ccrry. 

Having  arrived  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  the 
very  fine  view  of  the  Falls  whicli  is  ther^  pre- 
sented, is  noticed  by  the  party.  The  boat  is 
ready  to  receive  them,  and  ihny  arc  soon  float- 
ing over  the  convulsed  and  r.giiated  waters. — 
Hoods,  India  rubbers,  oil  clotlis  and  umbrellas 
arc  brought  into  requisition,  to  shield  them  from 
th3  des^enJing  mist  that  gushes  away  fro.n  the 
falling  stream. 

Catlin's  Cave  is  about  a  mile  below,  on  the 
American  side.  It  can  only  be  visited  by  going 
along  the  bottom  of  the  perpendicular  bank,  or 
near  the  water's  edge.  Travellers  usually  em- 
ploy tho  ferryman  to  take  them  in  a  boat.     The 


Falls    o  f  N  i  a  g  a  n  a. 


93 


15cncIor'3   Cnvc. 


ca\  c  is  about  tu'entyfnct  in  circIJi^^ibT^i^^^r 
nbout  ihe  siz3  of  a  baker's  large  oven  ;  nnd  l!io 
cntranco  just  bl-  cnoii.-!,  to  admit  the  body  of  a 
min.  \Vhcn  discovered,  it  was  filled  with 
beautiful  stalactites;  but  thoy  have  been  all  re- 
moved.  Around  t.'^o  cave  are  large  quantities 
of  petrifiod  mo3s,  and  spring,  of  water  gu.h 
out  above  and  at  tin  sido3  of  t!io  cave,  in  a 
peculiar  and  beautiful  manner. 

Bonder's  Cavo  is  on  the  Canada  side,  a  l?ttl« 
further  down  than  Catlin's,  h  is  about  twenty 
iocl  from  side  to  s|do,  and  high  enough  for  per- 
sons  to  stand  erect  in.  To  persons  of  leisure, 
both  caves  are  worth  visiting  and  alTjrd  a  pleas' 
ant  excursion. 

Before  the  bridge  to  Iris  Island  was  built,  par- 
ties used  to  visit  the  lower  end  with  boats,  by 
passing  up   between  the  two  sheets   of  water  '• 

some  are  still  very  fond  of  making  the  trip,  as 
they  pass  very  close  to  the  Falls,  which  is  to 
many  vovy  interesting.  This  can  n  o w  be  verv 
safely  and  pleasantly  done  on  a  small  steamboat 
called  the  ^'Maidof  the  Mist;"  which  leaves 
from  the  Cerry  about  one  and  a  half  miles  bclo\Y 


P 


94 


G 


HIDE     TO     THE 


View  from   l!io  River. 


tho  Falls,  running  up  to  iho  very  base  nnd  land- 
ing on  tho  Cannda  side. 

Cars  leave  llic  Falls  Cor  tho  Maid  of  tho  Uhi 
and  Suspension  Bridge  hourly  passing  directly 
along  the  ba'i'.c  of  the  River,  wiicrc  tho  V  jailor 
ijas  a  series  oT  tlio  grandest  views  of  tho  per- 
pendicular banks,  tho  River,  Bridge,  and  botli 
the  American  and  Groat  Ilo:so  Shoe  Falls,  and 

CrQQ  from  heat  and  dust.      Fare  each  v.-ay  6 1 
Cents  ! 


Usually,  visitors  are  greatly  delighted  with 
the  view  of  the  Falls  which  is  obtained  in  cros- 
sing  the  ferry.  Towards  the  center  of  the  river, 
the  mist  is  dispelled,  an  J  the  prospect  of  the  im- 
mense body  of  falling  v/ater  is   un obscured  by 


ALLS      OP      N 


I  A  G  A  R  A 


British  Side. 


any  i.uervcing  object.     TI.e    wl,o!o  svAImTv 
of  tl.c  scene  is  displayed.     Beside  this,  tl,e  eddies 
ire  strong,  the  waters  danco  round   the   boat 
ns  a  rocks  and  bounds  along,  and  somo  of  tho 
obtrusive  waves  dash  over  upon  the  passengers. 
llielad.es  baoomo  alarmed;  but  they    hardly 
have  time  to  inquire  if  there  is  not  danger,  bo. 
fore  the  dashing  of  the  waves   has  ceased, 'the 
boat  glides  smoothly  over  subdued  and  dead 
swells,  and  soon  roaches  the  Canada  shore. 

The  passengers  step  forth  upon  tho  rooks  that 
line  tho  shore.  The  mighty  cataract  is  pourin-- 
lis  oce.in  of  waters  before  them  ;  but,  if  they 
are  Americans,  it  has  ceased  to  be  the  only 
curiosity,  and  their  attention  is  called  to  persons 
and  characters.  They  are  in  the  dominions  of 
her  Imperial  IVIajesty  Queen  Victoria,  and  the 
feeling,  of  the  mind  give  to  every  object  around 
a  new  and  unfamiliar  toint. 


im 


03 


Guide     to    j  h  e 

Cliftoii  Villiige. 


V  I  L  L  A  (M^     O  F  C  L  I  F  T  0  N  . 

ins  villnge  comprises  n  fine 
plat  on  llic  first  and  second  rise 
of  land  above  the  fovry.  Tho 
road  leading  from  iho  river  to 
i^i'umniondvillc  passes  through 

'Vif\  ^lic  centre. 

Ily      Clifton  IIous?,  stands,  just  at  the   head 

fi<m    of  the  hill  from  the  ferry. 

^      Th.c  j)arty  proceed  along   the  bank   of 

the  river  until  they  come  near  a  house  contain- 

ing  a  Camera  ObscurUj  which  beatifully  reflects 

th-  Falls. 

Proceeding  furiher,  Mr.  Darnet's  Museum 
attracts  their  attention.  Oil  cloth  dresses  for 
passing  under  the  s'aeet  of  water  at  Table  Rock, 
ona  bo  obtained  there. 


l^'  A  L  L  S     OF     N  I  A  O  A 


n  A 


'i^iblo    Kdck. 


Q7 


Table    Rock. 


•'  An.I  s:i!I  with  <nund  liko  hnomiri"  pciil 

Ff.rHi.  from  out  tlie  daiK  ahys'd 
'J  IJo  ru^liinj  tticaiii  is  dnvcn." 


g^  LTiiouGii  much  of  this  rock  has 

-;>/  fallen  from  time  to  time,  within 

iho  memory  ofn  a:-y>ct  living, 

still  it    proj.cC3   some   forty   or 

^^**^   Tifiy    feet    over    the    bank. 

liiroLigh  a  considerable  portion  of  it  runs 
a  wide  and  deep  fissure,  evidencing  that  it 
will  not  bo  many  years  before  the  outer 
portion  will  bo  launched  below.  Some 
years  since,  the  person  wj-o  kept  the  wind- 
ing  stairs,  at  Table  Rock,  gave  notice  that  on  a 
certain  day,  (it  was  on  the  occasion  of  ono  of 
the  vessels  going  over  the  Falls,)  ho  should  put 
a  number  of  kegs  of  powder  in  the  fissure  of 
the  rock  and  blow  it  off.  It  was  expected  that 
it  would  make  a  tremendous  crash.  But  the 
gentlemen  who  owned  the  principal   interest  in 


I' 


98 


Guide    to    the 


Remarks  of  Travellers. 


the  privilege,  would  not  allow  it  to  bo  done,  as  it 
would  put  an  end  to  the  charm  of  the  place — the 
visit  under  the  sheet  of  water. 

Traveller. — "  If  the  rock  is  safe,  the  gentle- 
men did  right  in  preserving  it  ;  but  if  it  hangj», 
jeopardising  the  life  of  human  beings,  it  ought 
to  be  blown  oflf.'^ 

Guide. — *'  Wc  are  now  on  it,  and  you  must 
judge  for  yourself.'* 

Traveller. — "  It  may  stand  for  half  a  century, 
or  may  give  way  while  we  are  talking  about  it. 
It  has,  no  doubt,  too  dangerous  a  look  for  a  man 
to  think  of  building  a  residence  on,  yet  for  a 
Niagara  Falls  enthusiast,  and  I  have  both  seen 
and  heard  of  such,  it  is  just  the  spot." 


T'alls    op   Niagara 


Piissiny  under  'J'uLle  lie  ck. 


00 


Passing  Uxder  the   Sheet   of 

VV  A  T  E  R  , 

-  Tho  guttering  .trcam,  the  spr.y  with  rninh.ow  round 
The  d.^zy  hcyht,  the  roar,  the  gulf  profound." 

EAR  tho  Table   Rock,   ihcro  is 

an  cstablishmeni  nt  vvhicli  drcs- 

ess  are    provided,    nnd  guides 

furnished  to  conduct  travellers 

h^  under  tho  reck,  and  thence   under  the 

^     sheet  of  water.     Several  of  the   party 

conclude  to  make    the   excursion,   and 

enter  the  hou.':0. 

They  descend  the  stairs,  make  their 
wny  along  tho  rocky  path  and  enter 
under  the  overhanging  arch  of  Table  Rock.— 
In  front  is  the  sheet  of  water  ,  below,  at  the  left, 
is  the  river,  white  with  foam,  and  on  the  shorJ 
large  bodies  of  rocks  that  have  tumbled  from  the 
arch  under  which  the  travellers  are  winding  their 
way  ,  and  above,  is  the  mighty  mass  divided  into 
thousands  of  fisures,  and  rocks  hanging  equipois- 
ed, ready  every  moment  to  fall  and  crush   those 


* 


loa 


Guide    to    the 


'J'ciniinatina  Rock. 


wliojG  temerity  leads  them  ihrough  that  danger- 
ous pass.  But,  as  no  accidents  iiavo  happened, 
visitors  may  look  danger  in  the  face,  and  movo 
cheerily  along,  not  troubiing  t'.icmsclves  with 
any  disturbing  Iho-.ghts.  They  soon  arrive  in 
the  mist,  the  ro^^ks  bccoma  slippery,  but  the 
guide  directs  and  lend.^  his  assistance,  assuring 
them  there  i.3  no  danger. 

Tiic  water,  driveii  by  iorco  of  the  wind,  pours 
over  them,  and  in  spite  of  India  rubber  and 
water-proof  guards,  very  few  escnpo  being 
drenched  to  thoskin.  At  length,  it  is  announced 
that  they  have  arrived  at  Termination  Rock, — 
There  they  stand  and  gazo  upon  the  wonders  of 
the  place,  until  the  eye  becomes  weary  witli 
seeing  the  while  and  mingling  waters,  and  the 
oar  tired  of  tiie  deafening  sound.  Some  just  look 
in,  and  cast  a  fearful  glance  around,  and  then 
hurry  away  ;  others  remain  for  half  an  hour, 
or  more,  seemingly  enjoying  the  terrific  scene. 
Visitors  usually  go  only  to  Termination  Rock, 
but.  it  is  possible  to  advance  about  35  feet  further. 


(■ 


ALLS  OP   Niagara. 


161 


Brock's  Monument. 


Brocks    Monument. 

rock's    Monument  stands    on 
Queenston  Heights,  ashortdis- 
tance  south   of  the  village.— 
It  was  built  of  a    soft  whitish 
stone,    taken    out    of   the    mountain 
near  by.     it  cost  about  eight  thousand 
dollars  and  was  built  at  the  expense 
of  the   Provincial  Government.     It  oc. 
4==^  cupies  a  beautiful  and  commanding  site, 
and   overlooks   Fort   Grey,   on   the  American 

7 


102 


GtriDE     TO     THE 


rc>r»uciion   nf  Brock's  Rlonnmcnt. 


side,  (n  large  battery  erected  mainly  to  c©ver  the 
attack  upon  Queenslon,)  and  the  roads  and 
cultivated  larms  beyond  the  opposite  heights  for 
•everal  miles. 

On  the  17ih  of  April,  1840,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  destroy  this  memorial  of  the  gallant 
Brock,  by  blowing  it  up  with  gunpowder.  The 
circular  stairs  within  the  monument  were  torn  to 
pieces,  stones  were  thrown  out  of  the  wall,  and 
it  was  rent  from  the  bottom  to  the  top.  This 
ect  was  attributed  to  the  noted  radical  patriot, 
Benjamin  i.eit.  He  neither  admitted  nor  denied 
the  charge  ,  but  observed  to  those  who  spoke  to 
him  about  it,  "  They  may  lay  it  to  me.'' 

Contrary  to  the  opinion  of  many  who  had  seen 
the  monument  since  the  attempt  was  made  to 
blow  it  up,  whoEupposed,  that  though  shattered, 
it  might  yet  stand  for  many  years,  in  the  month 
of  Febunrv  1841,  a  part  of  it  fell,  and  it  is  now 
in  a  ruinous  condition. 


Falls    op   Niagara' 


103 


AniiiMl   onhrini?. 


This 


Annual   Ofperino. 

ME  Indians  have  a  suporstitious 
tradition,  that  tho  spirit  of  the 
Fill  Is  required  an  annual  offer- 
ing of  two    human    victims. 

Sinco  tho  white  nnn  has  known 
them,  the  average  number  has  exceeded 
two  ;  either  swept  down  from  tlie  river  and 
lake,  or  lost  in  the  rapids  immediately 
above  the  Falls,  and  of  which  a  lew  are 
recorded  in  the  following  pages. 

In  the  fore  part  of  iho   month  of  December, 
1841,  the  body  of  a  man  was    found   on   Grass 
Island  a  short  distance  above  the  Falls  and  near 
to  him  a  canoe.     He  was  recognized  as   one  of 
a  number  of  persons    who,  on  the  night  of  the 
2Ist  of  November,had  started  from  the  American 
shore    in  a   canoe    loaded   with  six  barrels  of 
whiskey.     It  was  thought  at  Field's  tavern,  that 
cries  were  heard  from  the  river  ;  but  they  were 
disregarded,  as  the  boatmon  on  tho  river   wer« 


104 


Guide    to    the 


Death  of  Morgan. 


usually  noisy.  In  a  few  days  however,  as  the 
persons  had  not  arrived  at  their  destination,  it 
was  judged  that  they  had  gone  over  the  Falls.— 
The  body  was  found  on  the  island  about  three 
weeks  after.  The  others,  with  the  loading  of 
the  canoe,  no  doubt  went  down  tho   rapids. 

On  Friday  the  Hth  of  May  1843,  Michael 
Morgan  of  Chippawa,  being  at  street's  point 
about  two  miles  above,  wishing  to  water  his 
horses  drove  them  with  his  wagon  into  the  river. 
They  immediately  got  into  deep  water,  the  horses 
seperated,  one  got  to  thn  shore,  the  other  was 
drowned.  The  box  of  the  wngon  floated  down 
the  river,  and  to  this  he  clung.  Many  persons 
saw  him  from  the  shore,  but  could  render  him 
no  assistance — when  he  came  to  the  rapids  he 
was  soon  seperated  from  the  wagon  box,  which 
went  to  pieces,  and  he  passed  over  the  Falls. 


the 


Falls    of    N 


I  A  C7  A  R  A   . 


105 


Death  of  Dr.  ilurigcrfurd. 


Death  of  Doct.  IT  u.n  g  e  ii  f  o  r  d  . 

"  Oh  death  !  stern  tyrant  of  our  floetini  hours. 
iMuou^and  shapes  thou  trick'st  thine  antic  powers, 
^  o.uh,  nnn!io<):|,  age  are  nil  aUke  to  thee  • 
C  rcution  bencis  beneath  thy  stern  decree."' 


.f^t 


i?^r,/^.     ,V 


^«;^jg  u^iERous  narro^v  esonpeF^,   ane 
^^^^§m^^''^'''^  acciclants  havo  occurer 


^ 


and 

MHif  '^^'^"^^^  ^^'^  F«ns  ;  but  at  len^h 
..^„P^     ^  ^t  ^^^s  become  the  paiiifLil  duty 

fmf,  of  the  analist  to  record  an    incident  of 
^    a  new  and  fatal  character.     Since  the 
iW      ^''"^  discovery  of  these  profound!-/  in- 
Wg         tercstiiog  yet  fearful    scenes,    visitor.'. 
f         have  with  impunity  rambled  above  and 
beneath  the   overhanging  rocks  ;  and 
though  the  danger  was  evident  to   the  eye,    no 
accident  had  happened,  no  event  had  taken  placo 
to  warn  them  of  the  hazard  to  which  thev  were 
exposed. 

About  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the  twcn- 
ty-seventh  of  May,  1833,  Doctor  Ilungerford  of 
Troy,  N.  Y.  with   Mr.  Nile,  of  Colurnbius,  Q. 


■,.,...*.. 


106 


CiUIDE    TO     THB 

raUiHg  of  the  Rocka. 


ond  Mr.  Lindsoy,  their  guide,  wcro  viewing  the 
rivor  and  Falls,  near   Ingraham's   cavo,    below 
the   point  of    Iris  Island.     Doct.    Ilungerford 
wag  standing  botween  the  guide  and   Mr.  Nile. 
After  looking  awhile  upon  the  scene,  the  guido 
concluded  that  all  had  been  seen  at  that  point  in- 
loresting  to  the  travellers,    and    remarked   that 
they  would  now  go  to  another  place.     At   that 
instant,  he  saw  the  air  filled  with  earth,  and  fal- 
ling stones  ;  all  endeavored  to  spring   aside  — 
Doct.  Hungerford   foil     Mr.   Lindsey  inimedi- 
ately  raised  him,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  Mr. 
Nile,  bore  him   to  a  more  secure  place.     They 
were  not  at  first  aware   of  the   fatal   injury  he 
had  received.     The  rocks  had   struck   him    on 
the    back  of  the  head,  and  on    his  neck    and 
shoulders.     He  breathed  but  a   few  times,    rnd 
expired  without  a  groan  or  the  least  convulsive 
motion.     Mr.    Lindsey,    too,    received   several 
severe  contusions,  and  had  his  coat   and  panta- 
loons  torn,  but  did  not  notice   his  own  bruisea 
until  some  time  after. 


l±]:^<>     or     N.AOAKA. 


«E2.-ld   day  of  August,  1844, 
M,ssManhaK.Rugg,„fL,„: 

castor,  Mass,  arrived  at  Bufla- 

'o  in  company  with  an  elderly 

Kr^  <-aro  Mis.  rf ""'"""  "<■  ^^"-oit.  in  whose 

"j"'"  «  Buffalo  they  turned  aside  from 
p,,};"';''^"'^'' '•'"■'<"«  Detroit,  to  visit  the 
i  all».     They  reached  the  Fall,  nn  .i  • 


108 


Guide   to    the 


Peath  of  Miss  Rugg. 


which  caught  the  shawl  from  the  shoulders  of 
the  sufferer,  and  all  was  over  !  Horror  seized 
upon  every  beholder  :  the  unhappy  news  spread 
like  the  wind,  and  the  whole  neighborhood  flew 
to  their  assistance.  Fortunately,  a  physician, 
Dr.  G.  A.  Sturgis,  of  New  York  city,  on  a 
visit  to  the  Falls  in  company  with  a  friend  from 
Black  Rock  happened  to  be  in  tho  Museum  at 
the  time  of  the  accident ;  he,  with  many  others 
descended  the  stairs  at  Table  Rock,  and  passing 
over  rocks,  fallen  cedars,and  tangled  underbrush, 
for  one-fourth  of  a  mile,  they  readied  the  fatal 
spot  where  lay  the  fair  sufferer,  and  strange  to 
say,  upon  the  points  of  cragged  rocks  alive. 
At  first  she  appeared  to  be  dying,  but  upon  Dr. 

Sturgis  bleeding  her,  she  came  to  her  senses 

spoke  to  those  who  had  come  to  her  assistance 
saying,  "  Pick  me  up,"  which  was  instantly 
done,  and  conveyed  in  their  arms  over  thorough 
path  to  a  boat,  which  had  been  brought  for  the 
purpose,  by  the  ferry-man,  into  which  she  wag 
placed   and  landed  nt  the   ferry   landing,    and 

from  thence  conveyed  to  the  Clifton  House. 

She  lived  three  hours  from  the  time  of  the  aoci. 
dent,  having  her  reason  to  the  laat^ 


Palls    opNia*gara. 


The  7.nte  /ccidrnt 


109 


D 


Miss    DeForest. 


F  all  the  accidents  that  ever 
happened  at  the  Falls,  ono 
which  cccurod  Juno  21st,  1849 
i3  probably  tho  most  henrt 
rending^whother  in  view  of 
tho  youth,  character  and  hopes  of  the  two 
young  persons  whoso   awful    fate  many 

nro  called  to  mourn,  or   in  its  efTect  upon 
tho  bereaved  relatives. 

No  event  has  occured  at  Niagara  Falls 

hat  caused  such  a  feeling  of  real  distfess  gwl 

and    sorrow   as   this,  and  in  glying    the  let 

connected  therewith,  wo  cannof  do  Lt^      r^^ 

o  adopt  the  language  of  Miss  Brown,  daughte^ 

0    Gen.  Brown  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  who  was' ono 

count  of  the  accident  to  her  parents  the   foUow. 
mg  day. 

After  prefacoing  it  i„  a  very  feeling  mann., 
to  her  parents  Miss  Bro«n,  says.     «  Our  party 


•■'-^fl^^ 


no 


Guide    to   the 


l>i;!.th    •  t'  i\fr.  Addiiigrojj. 


look  tea  Willi  Mrs.  Dr.  CoM^rGl•,  after  which 
wo  started  for  the  Island.  AVo  were  joined  at 
the  Cataract  House  by  iMessrs.  Dennis*  Bowen, 
Mills  and  Addiii-ton  ;  Mr.  DeForest  had  busi- 
ness  at  the  Bridge,  and  Dr.  C.  took  him  down 
in  his  carringe.  Wo  proceeded  to  Goat  lalond 
^vhcreMrs.  DcPo rest  Mrs.  Miller  and  Mr.Cowen 
boing  fntigucd,  sat  down  on  some  seats,  Iho  others 
consisting  of  Mary  Miller,  Kate  DeForest,  Mr. 
Mills,  Mr.  Addington,  Charles  and  Ileman  Do- 
Forest,  Abby  lAIiHor,  Ni::ttie  DeForest  and 
myself,  [irocoeded  to  Lunar  island.  Wo  frolick- 
cd  about  somotimo,  and  rested  on  a  beautiful 
greensward  lliirty  feet  square,  and  were  just 
about  startijig  for  the  main  island  when  Adding- 
lon  caught  Netty  in  his  arms,  and  gave  her  a 
playful  loss  over  the  edge  of  the  bank  wo   were 

on — that  is,  he  swung  her  out  to  frighten  her 

when  he  lost  his  balanr-e,  and  they  fell  into  tho 
river,  about  20  feet  from  the  edge  of  the  Ameri- 
can  fall.  The  water  was  shallow  but  the  stones, 
were  worn  so  smoo:h  that  it  was  impossible  to 
obtain  a  fooling  particularly  where  the  great 
force  of  the  water  swept  by  so  swiftly.  Ho 
struggled  bravely,  with  her  in  his  arms— one© 


Palls   op    Niagara. 


Ill 


l»cmh  of  Miss  l>eForrc8t. 


he  seemed  to  bo  noaring  shoro.^^^j^T^iJT^ 

but  having  only  one  hand  .o  striU  out  with 
they  we^e  carried  down,  locked  in  each  olher'J 
«rm«,  ,vi.h  their  agonized  faces  turned  constant- 
^towards  u.,  we  .aw  them  go  over  the   Falls. 
Mis.  Del^orest  heard  our  shrieks,  and  sent  Mr 
Bowen  to  ,.s.     Ho  reached  the  opening  just  in 
time  to  see  them  go  over.     Oh  I  God,  may  I  bo 
spared  any  more  such  scenes.     Tho   party  had 
lelt  tho  .<:pot  when  1  turned  from  tlie  water     It 
was  8  o'clock  in  the  evcning-tl,e  woods   wore 
dark  and  gloomy.     I  soon  overlooli  them.CharJy 
Heman    and  Kate,  trying  to  e.vplain  to    their 
mother  the  circumstances  which  she  could   not 
understand    for  their  crying.     Mrs.    DeForesI 
would  walk  hnck  to  the  hnure,  as  there  was  no 
conveyance    ne,-,r,    and   she  almost    fainted   at 
every  ste,..      VVur  J  was  sent  immediately  to  Afr 
DePorest,  wl„.  arrived  in  a  few  moments  afte^ 

her  VV" -cnt  to  i)r.  Conger's  and  spent  the 
ntght  t  ,s  „sWes«  for  me  to  attempt  adescrip. 
tion  of  the  ,„„nner  we  passed  the  night.  I  can 
toll  you  nothing  now,  unless  it  bo  tho  sound  of 
those  waters  dashing  and  tumbling  thcmselve. 


110 


a 


UIDE      TO     THB 


Recovery  of  the  OuJlui. 


down  upon  those  procious  bodies,  all  regardless 
of  |he  agouy  ihoy  were  causing.  A  search  was 
beguu  till  ^  'laoniing  at  three,  an  1  continued  until 
six,  at  whicn  hour  the  cars  left  for  HufTalo,  and 
as  no  trace  was  found  of  them  it  was  thought 
best  foi  the  family  to  return,  which  we  did,  and 
arrived  hero  at  night. 

Dr.  Conger  liad  the  search  kept  up  v.ith  a 
party  of  m3n,in  the  cave  of  tho  winds  and  hy  the 
steamer  below.  About  2  o'clock  Mr.  DcForest 
receive  J  a  despa'.ch  saying  the  child  was  recov- 
ered— 3h3  was  brought  up  by  a  parly  from  the 
falls,  and  is  now  lying  in  tlio  Pailor.  It  seems 
she  was  found  lodged  in  a  rock — her  head  and 
shoulders  struck  first  ;  skull  fractured  and  arm 
dislocated  and  broken,  most  of  her  brains  were 
washed  out,  one  stocking  only  was  left  on  her 
fact.  Dr.  Conger,  with  great  difficulty  arrange 
ed  her  arms,  and  sewed  up  and  patched  the  skin 
on  her  face,  so  that  she  looks  natural. 

The  body  of  Mr.  Add ington  was  recovered  a 
few  days  after  the  accident,and  interred  at  N'ag 
ara  Fails. 


H 

4  1 


^ 


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